By Amy Batista, Special Writer
FLORENCE — The Florence Township Memorial High School’s Parents Organization hosted its 22nd annual fashion show to raise money for after-school programs.
”The proceeds from our event tonight will benefit our effort to try and bring back several after-school programs in the high school,” Principal John Cogan said to the crowd March 14. “We appreciate your support.”
Due to budget cuts, the school no longer was able to pay for several after-school programs.
”Our district cannot afford to pay our teachers stipends to be program advisers,” said Cindy Capritti, president of the Florence Township High School Parents Organization. “So the Parents Organization saw the need and jumped in to fundraise. This is where the money we raise directly impacts the educational experience of our students. We hope to bring back three to five programs next year.”
The event was held in the school auditorium on Cedar Lane. Models showcased styles by Lord & Taylor, Rena Elle Couture and Formal Expressions.
”I thought the entire event was wonderful,” Principal Cogan said.
”We raised over $4,500,” Ms. Capritti said in an email Monday. “Our goal was $5,000. We hope to make next year’s show bigger and better.”
More than 250 family, friends and students attended the event to check out some of the latest fashions trending while supporting a good cause.
The Fashion Show Extravaganza and Raffle was six months in the making by the Parents Organization. The raffle included more than 55 donated items and included Disney Park Hopper tickets, one year of haircuts from SuperCuts, Coach handbags, Tiffany necklaces, YMCA memberships, a Bounce U birthday party, Hollywood Tan certificates, Dave & Busters gift certificates and more.
Principal Cogan thanked all the volunteers and the Parents Organization.
”FTMHS is a special place because of the community we have here,” Principal Cogan said. “We are so incredibly fortunate to have parents that are willing to do so much for our students and our school.”
”All the parents involved in this event are very passionate about our children’s education experience at Florence,” Ms. Capritti said. “It is important our students have activities to be involved in after school.”
New this year was the featuring of underclassmen in the show as well as the raffle. The show traditionally has been just seniors.
”It has been a tradition in our school, but this year we tried to make it a bigger event by including underclassmen and getting the entire school involved,” Ms. Capritti said. “By including the underclassmen, we increased our audience size.”
A total of 55 models were fitted for outfits and walked the runway.
The event begins with casual wear, which was sponsored by Lord & Taylor in the Quakerbridge Mall and modeled by 15 underclassmen.
Next, the event turned to formalwear attire with 40 senior models, 20 boys and 20 girls who participated.
Tuxedos were provided by Formal Expressions Tuxedos and the girl’s gowns by Rena Ella Couture of Maple Shade.
Gene Mosca of Formal Expressions Tuxedos of Maple Shade has been the master of ceremonies for the seniors and has been with the event from the beginning.
”I have been coming here for 20 years,” Mr. Mosca said. “The school loves having me in.”
”He memorizes every senior student’s name,” Ms. Capritti said, adding that he does it within a two-hour period.
Mr. Mosca comes to the school later in the year to do school fittings for one day during lunch period.
”I deliver the tuxes, and then I pick them up on Monday after the prom,” Mr. Mosca said. “We do in-school delivery.”
Erin Hurst of Rena Ella Couture explained what it provides for the evening according to what the school and the girls select and like.
”We sell bridal and prom dresses,” as well as other dresses and accessories, said Ms. Hurst, of Shamong. “We sell short and long dresses and ball gowns for proms.”
According to Ms. Hurst, the trend at the moment is “high-low” where the dress is short in the front and longer in the back; the one-shoulders also are popular, she said.
One of the highlights of the show was the special guest models. Assistant Director of Security Lonnie Brown and Director of Security Jeffrey Dankanich surprised the guests as they took to the runway to showcase a few styles of their own.
”Mr. Brown wore a lovely, bright yellow, strapless gown and wig,” Ms. Capritti said. “The students went crazy to see him in a gown.”
Another highlight of the evening came when all the senior models returned to the stage to take a bow and started doing the Harlem Shuffle.
”The students were all dressed in their formal attire, happy and enjoying themselves,” Ms. Capritti said. “They also knew they were doing something great to benefit their school. It is great to see our children happy.”
Senior Cody Fauver, of Florence, decided to participate in this year’s show after watching seniors in the past.
”It looked like a lot of fun, and I wanted to have another last hurrah with my senior friends,” Cody said. “It was a great time and probably one of the best times that I had all year.”
Senior Joe Connelly, of Florence, was signed up by his friend, Cody, to participate in the event.
”It was fun, and I would do it again if I had another chance,” Joe said.
Senior Zach Pittenger, of Florence, agreed it was “fun” and enjoyed his “go at modeling.”
”We got to open up to a big crowd,” Zach said. “I’m actually surprised at how many people are here.”
He added, “It was definitely a really fun time with all the seniors in the senior class. I was really glad to enjoy the event.”
Senior Heather Horner, of Florence, was excited about getting dressed up, and despite it being “nerve-racking,” she found the event “totally worth it.”
”Everyone got to dress up, and everyone felt really pretty,” Heather said. “I would definitely recommend it to anyone.”
For Heather, the highlight of the event was being out in front of the lights and cameras.
”It was just something that I have never done before,” Heather added.
Senior Devin Vogel, of Florence, described the event as a “great bonding experience.”
The highlight of the evening for her was walking out with her partner and hearing everyone cheer.
Senior Morgan Reeder, of Florence, enjoyed the opportunity to be in the “limelight” and pose in front of the crowd.
”It’s a good memory to have for your senior year,” Morgan said.

