Funky to Formal brings fashion and fun

Funky to Formal, holding its ninth annual fashion show, shopping bazaar, and luncheon, raised over $10,000 for BSM this year. Out of the four social events hosted by the Parent Association, Funky to Formal is the only fund-raising event.  All the money raised goes to the Parent Association and funds various school activities and scholarships.

Funky to Formal started off as a a dress swap and a way for girls to sell their dresses that they weren’t going to wear again.  But Cathy Terp and Kathy Gillman, who first chaired this event, faced problems. “Less and less girls actually wanted to get rid of their dresses, and they just wanted to buy new ones,” said Terp.

The name “Funky to Formal” came about as the event continued to grow and change–some of the dresses were the girls’ old ones that had been used (Funky) and then they began bringing in other stores and brand new dresses (Formal).

The Parent Association chose to do a fashion show because it was such a unique fundraiser compared to their other ones. “They thought it would be a great community building activity: bringing together girls, moms, grandmas, and friends for a common cause,” said Terp.

Today Funky to Formal still brings people together: from the 68 students who walked the runway, to the sold out crowd of mothers, daughters, and alumni that came for the show. “I usually model in it, but this year I went with my mom to watch and it was so much fun,” said junior Annalisa Huge.

The event was equally as fun for the student models who walked the run way in the latest trends from stores such as Banana Republic, Pink Champagne, and even the Spirit Shop.  Her first time in the show, freshman Taylor Kenyon loved everything about it. “The practices were actually really fun, the shopping was good, and I loved my outfit,” said Kenyon.

Her enthusiasm was shared by other models who do it because they love how much fun walking in the show is. “My favorite part was the catwalk, when I am up there I feel like a strong, independent, beautiful woman and I also like having all the attention be on me,” said junior Maddie Bergh.

But the senior models in the show feel that they had the most fun, “We got to wear two outfits and were started and ended the show which was really fun, but it was also sad because we realized this was the last time we would ever do it,” said senior Tricia Eagan.

This year the fashion show was switched from its previous location in the Haben Center to the Great Hall. This transition was made so that the vendors could set up in the Commons which created a lot more space for the bazaar and allowed 35 vendors to come this year. ”It was a little smaller in the Great Hall, but I really liked the new shopping space because there was so much more stuff and it was organized a lot better,” said Annalisa Huge.

With mittens, jewelry, clothes, items for the home, and baked goods the 35 different vendors provided something for almost everyone there. “We have really great timing with this event,” said parent volunteer Mrs. Lisa Walsh, “The organized women who like to get their holiday shopping done early love it.”

Funky to Formal is a tradition that lets girls have fun and feel good about shopping since it’s for a good cause: “[Funky to Formal] is a tradition that will certainly continue at BSM because it excels in its purpose of raising money and bringing the community together through a day of fun,” said Terp.

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