[KHTS] – The annual Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley Fashion Show attracted a sold out crowd of more than 300 guests to the Valencia Hyatt Regency on Sunday, March 22.

Pam Ingram, president of Soroptimist International of Greater SCV, said the annual fashion show “is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year.”

“The money we raise benefits women and girls in the Santa Clarita Valley,” she said.

Soroptimist International is an international volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world.

In the Santa Clarita Valley the organization supports women and girls through the Live Your Dream Education and Training Awards, Dream It, Be It Career Support, the Jacquie Petersen Endowment, Day of Service and other philanthropic causes.

Chris Schauble, KTLA Morning News anchorman, served as master of ceremonies of the “Cruising with Friends of Greater SCV” fashion show.

Schauble, of Stevenson Ranch, is a familiar face around the Santa Clarita Valley where he appears regularly in support of SCV nonprofits.

“This is my first time at this event,” he said. “I am longtime supporter of all things Santa Clarita. It is an honor to be here and have a little fun. What greater cause then to support the women in our community.”

Schauble said Santa Clarita is “a very special community.”

“We take care of our own and we take care of others,” he said. “Andthat’s what we are doing here today.

Sandi Naba served as event chairwoman with Sue Tweddell serving as event co-chairwoman.
The fashion show featured entertainment by D’Wilfri DanceArt and Entertainment and Shooting Stars Dance Studios.

The event also held a “favorite male model” contest. Votes for guests’ favorite male model cost $5 each and guests were encouraged to cast as many votes as they wanted.

Contestants for favorite male model included: Alex Hafizi, Bob Hudson, Chace Unruh M.D., Dave Rendall, Dell Goodrick D.D.S., Eric Smith, Gino Fronti, James Duncombe, John Musella, Justin Duncombe, Mike Hearns, Myles McNamara and Ramzi Azar.

After the votes were counted Bob Hudson was crowned the “favorite male model.”

“I was surprised to win,” Hudson said. “Hopefully, we raised a lot of money.”

The fashion show was divided into separate sections including “cruising on the beach,” “cruising down the boulevard” and “cocktail.”

Models walked the runway in fashions by Barn & Charm, Closet on Main, Faking it Flawless, H.E.R., J. David’s Custom Clothiers, luluemon athletics, Marshalls, Mirror Mirror, Propinquities, Sugar Kiss and Via Tucci.

Female fashion show models included: Nancy Angel, Diane Blair, Jeannie Carpenter, Teri Fox, Jill Friedman, Alesia Humphreys, Lily Knight, Kim Kurowski, Katherine Lotze, Sue Nevius, Lisa Odom, Danielle Peterson, Toni Polucki, Christine Price, Lindsay Schlick, Elizabeth Teagle, Allison Velasco, Ericka Watson, Aida Weinstein and Dora Zavala.

Debbie Hays, a regular Soroptimist fashion show attendee, said she always looks forward to the event

“It’s a fun ladies day,” she said. “It’s nice to get out and see people I haven’t seen in a while.”

Vanessa Wilk, Immediate Past President of Soroptimist International of Greater SCV, said this was the fifth annual show presented by the group.

“We have a wonderful show this year,” she said. “This is a great opportunity to see fashions available from local retailers.”

Wilk said she was pleased that women from the newly chartered Soroptimist International of Simi Valley were in attendance.

“The Simi club just started last month and Soroptimist International of Greater SCV is the sponsor,” Wilk said. “We are thrilled that they are here today.”

U.S. Representative Steve Knight (R-Palmdale) was in the audience to watch his wife, Lily, strut the runway during the fashion show.

Members of the new Soroptimist International of Simi Valley club with U.S. Representative Steve Knight and wife Lily, (center) at Soroptimist International of Greater SCV fashion show. Photo by Michele E. Buttelman.

Members of the new Soroptimist International of Simi Valley club with (starting second from left, standing) Vanessa Wilk, Lily Knight and U.S. Representative Steve Knight (R-Palmdale) at Soroptimist International of Greater SCV fashion show. Photo by Michele E. Buttelman.

“It’s one of the great events in Santa Clarita. I was a model last year and Lily is a model this year,” he said. “It’s a fun event that also does important work supporting women and girls.”

Lily Knight said she enjoyed her first experience appearing on the Soroptimist Fashion Show runway.
“It was so much fun,” she said. “I was excited to help raise money for such a good cause.”

Clad in fashions from Marshalls, girls mentored through the “Dream It, Be It” program of Soroptimist International of Greater SCV included Carina Cardenas, Cassandra Cardenas, Lorena Dominguez, Beatrice Elias, Ruby Guerrero, Lizbeth Hernandez, Monica Manrique, Cristal Narisco, Kimberly Rincon and Yani Rincon.

Suzanne May, store manager of Marshalls in Santa Clarita and member of Soroptimist International of Greater SCV, works with the club’s Dream It, Believe It program in Val Verde.

“I believe in supporting and mentoring girls, helping girls better themselves,” she said. “My mother always taught me that whatever I wanted to be, I could be. It makes me feel great to be able to encourage these girls to be what they want to be.”

Lily Knight said it was fun to watch the girls get ready for their runway walks.

“To watch the young ladies getting dressed backstage, they were so excited to be putting on the makeup, it was amazing,” she said.

Also welcomed to walk the runway were title sponsors Don and Cheri Fleming of Valencia Acura, as well as Spotlight Sponsors Julie M. Sturgeon, CPA and representatives of the Paul A. Hughes Foundation.

Runway Sponsors included Chiquita Canyon, Marshalls, KHTS AM 1220, The Magazine of Santa Clarita and elite Magazine. VIP Sponsors included College of the Canyons Foundation, ReMax of Valencia, Heys Plumbing, Global Protective Services, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation, McDowell Odom LLP, Pam Ingram/ReMax of Santa Clarita, Sandi Naba, MA, Educational Consultant/Advocate, Soroptimist International of Simi Valley, Sue Tweddell/Primerica and Union Bank.

Hair and makeup for the fashion show was provided by Tranquility Salon and Spa.
For more information about Soroptimist International of Greater SCV visit www.sigscv.org.