SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Annual prom fashion show Friday

By Jessica Noll, Special Writer
   South Brunswick High School plans to have a fashion show fundraising event tomorrow night to benefit the upcoming Project Graduation event in June.
   South Brunswick High School Project Runway is set for Friday, February 24th at the High School auditorium. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the school on Ridge Road.
   ”We’re reaching out to the local businesses and anyone else who’d like to contribute to the June Project Graduation event,” said co-chair committee member Cheri Lane.
   Project Graduation is traditionally held right after the close of the commencement ceremony, scheduled for June 21. Buses will chauffeur students from the ceremony to the Funplex in Mt. Laurel for an evening of fun activities, food and drink “to keep students safe and off the roads” according to Ms. Lane.
   The Funplex is an indoor-outdoor recreational facility according to the press release.
   Project Graduation has been held at the high school for 20 years and the fashion show has been done for at least five years as an accompanying fundraiser, according to Ms. Lane. The first Project Graduation was held in 1992.
   Ms. Lane and Betty Young are the co-chair committee members leading Friday’s event, from organizing the models, scheduling tuxedo and dress fittings, to coordinating event volunteers and outreach.
   Project Runway will feature the latest prom fashions from the Bridal Center Boutique on Route 18 in East Brunswick and Chaz MaTazz men’s formal wear shop in Princeton Marketfair, according to the event’s press release.
   Thirty five girls and 12 boys from the junior and senior classes are set to model. Parent volunteer Jean DelPiano is serving as host for the evening, said Ms. Lane.
   Chaz MaTazz has worked with the committee before, and this is the first time the Bridal Center Boutique is participating. The evening wear for the show is has been donated to the school by the shops, said Ms. Lane.
   Ticket holders will receive admission to the fashion show as well as valuable coupons including discounts on the fashions and accessories highlighted during the show. Gift raffles held during the show will also allow attendees to win prizes for hair, tanning, jewelry and more, including a chance to win a ticket to the Junior and Senior prom, according to the press release.
   Prizes from the raffle include two tickets each to the junior and senior proms.
   Rutgers football star, and SBHS graduate, Mohamed Sanu has donated his signed “#6” jersey as one of the raffle prizes. Mr. Sanu is currently at Rutgers University and is buzzed about for a possible start in the National Football League draft this year, according to ESPN.com.
   Tickets for the show cost $8 in advance and $10 at the door. They can be purchased by emailing [email protected].
   Ms. Lane said anyone else who wishes to contribute can contact her at the event or send an email to her address or write a check donation made out and sent to SBHS Project Graduation , 750 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction, 08852.
   ”We needed a total of $45,000 (for the Project Graduation event), and we’re about halfway there” said Ms. Lane.