St. Andrew's School students undertake massive fundraising effort

Wed, Mar 16th 2016, 02:35 AM


St. Andrew's School graduating seniors Kristin Bowleg, left, and Nagge Osborn, along with Janae Seymour have undertaken a massive undertaking to complete their mandatory CAS (creativity, activity and service) Project with their "Strut For A Cause" fashion show fundraiser on Saturday, March 19. The trio hope to raise at least $7,500 to assist the Bahamas AIDS Foundation youth outreach program for adolescents infected and affected by HIV/AIDS and complete their CAS (creativity, activity and service) project- a task necessary for them to graduate the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. (Photo: Enzil Cooper)

Three St. Andrew's School (SAS) students have undertaken a massive undertaking to complete their mandatory CAS (creativity, activity and service) Project -- a task necessary for them to graduate the International Baccalaureate (IB) program -- that will have benefits all around. The project will bring their graduating class together, and more importantly raise thousands of dollars to assist the Bahamas AIDS Foundation's youth outreach program for adolescents infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

Graduating seniors Kristin Bowleg, Nagge Osborne and Janae Seymour conceptualized an event known as "Strut For A Cause" fashion show fundraiser from a mere thought through to actualization of the event which will take place on Saturday, March 19 to fulfill their CAS Project requirement, and assist a program that provides a safe and nurturing environment where youth receive assistance through three components -- academics, psychosocial intervention and medical treatment.

In CAS Project learning outcomes students are to have realized increased awareness of strengths and areas for growth; undertaken new challenges; planned and initiated activities; worked collaboratively with others; showed perseverance and commitment; engaged with issues of global importance; considered ethical implications and developed new skills.

"Strut For A Cause" encompassed it all.

The trio hopes to raise a minimum of $7,500 to benefit the Bahamas AIDS Foundation.

Bowleg, Osborne and Seymour solicited the support of local companies to underwrite the expenses involved in staging the event which will be held at The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, West and West Hill Streets, and will feature pieces from designers Brynda Knowles, Sabrina Francis, Theodore Sealy, Anthonique Farquharson, Cardell McClam, Indira Moss and Kenria Smith.

SAS seniors will model the designer's original pieces, along with clothing from Platinum Bride, Cole's of Nassau, Morley For Men, Buttons, Bridal and Formal Wear, The Seventeen Shop and Rubins showcasing casual wear, cocktail wear, formal wear and prom attire.

Donations for the show to be hosted by Phyllis Albury-Garraway are $25 per ticket. The show will be held between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

At a time when thoughts uppermost in the minds of most graduating seniors is of leaving high school behind, the students at SAS have undertaken a project that is probably one of the biggest seen in the history of CAS Projects at the school.

"Strut For A Cause" is an initiative that the school's CAS Coordinator Enzil Cooper was "thrilled" and "amazed" to see come to fruition, considering the magnitude of the actual project.

"It's actually very impressive what they've been able to achieve, but it underscores the ideals of the CAS program, and also the significance of global awareness and networking," said Cooper. "Their goal is a tall order, but they're setting their target, and it's important for them to go through the processes -- successes... failures -- it's about what they come away with -- the experience of it, so they can build on it for their futures. I think they are really doing well in terms of meeting the requirements, but moving beyond the requirements to some life-changing events."

Cooper said Bowleg, Osborne and Seymour got together, generated the idea, developed the idea, decided they wanted to work with the AIDS Foundation, solved their own issues and are trying to make an impact according to their own personalized objectives.

The idea for "Strut For A Cause" came to Bowleg as she pondered what she could do to fulfill her CAS Project graduation requirement. All she knew was that she wanted to do something outside the box, and something that no one else would think of doing. At 17, she's into fashion, her peers are into fashion, and she came up with the fashion show idea.

She approached Osborne and Seymour and they were onboard with the project with the funds raised to benefit the Bahamas AIDS Foundation's youth program.

"At first, we were thinking for students to just model their own clothes, but then we decided to go outside the box and actually involve the Bahamian community, so we said why not involve Bahamian designers," said Bowleg. "It's really something different, and really memorable for our senior year, because when we graduate and look back at our senior year, it's something other than just simply academics, because this brought us together as a grade, and it's just something different that we accomplished in school."

Osborne, the lone male in the trio said organizing the fashion show project had been an interesting experience. The senior said even though he never thought he would be involved in organizing a fashion show, he said as a typical teen, he likes to look nice.

"It's been really fun, but also hectic, because we've been having to make all the models go to see the different designers to get fitted, and go to the stores to organize tickets. It's been a good experience for me. This experience can help us to learn how to lead projects, how to work together as a team, and organize big events."

With the project bringing their entire class together, Osborne said it has shown them that even though they may be students, that they can make a difference and set an example for the students in the years behind them.

"Even if they think of a CAS Project that they would like to do, and think it may be too big to handle, they should still bring their idea forward. At first, I didn't think we could have made it this big, but they just need to be determined and strive for their goals," said Osborne.

In realizing "Strut For A Cause" from and idea to an actual realization, the trio who are friends said they had to respect each other's opinion, because even though they were friends, they were not always going to get along. In making decisions with any issues that arose, they thought ideas through, and chose the most rational solution.

With "Strut For A Cause" in two days, Bowleg said she was grateful for everyone that supported them in trying to reach their goal.

For more information or tickets, telephone 557-4004.

Shavaughn  Moss

Guardian Lifestyles Editor

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