The Mathews-Dickey 2008 Girls' Program Honorees perform "Lucky Star/When I Grow Up," choreographed by
Judy Best-Person of the Best Talent Center.
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Mathews-Dickey Sheer Elegance No.20 Raises $185,000+
The stars of yesterday, today and tomorrow took to the runway at Sheer Elegance No.20 — a magical afternoon of style and grace. Themed “A Star is Born,” the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club’s fund-raiser generated total pledges of $185,000+ on Dec. 20, at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel, 212 N. Kingshighway Blvd.
“We want to thank the St. Louis community for rallying around this important cause in honor of our 20th anniversary,” said the show’s originator and Mathews-Dickey Vice President of Public Relations & Special Events Barbara A. Washington. “All young women can be star if they study, volunteer and work hard in their chosen fields.”
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Stephanie McHenry as Judy Garland, Colleen Quigley as Angelina Jolie and Carla Strnad as Audrey Hepburn stroll down the runway, joined by youth starlets.
Belle of Ball performs their tribute to Tina Turner and the Ikettes.
Yashuré Tucker, a former Sheer Elegance Honoree, portrays Diana Ross.
MADCO performs their tribute to Fred Astaire and Ginger Roger's "Cheek to Cheek."
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Professional and youth models paid homage in hair, make-up and attire to 20 famous actresses, singers and luminaries in sports, politics and business to bring to life the theme. A highlight was dance performances in tribute to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers “Cheek to Cheek” and Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta’s “You’re the One That I Want” from “Grease” by MADCO and Tina Turner and the Ikettes’ “Proud Mary” by Belle of the Ball. The performance of “O: The Oprah Winfrey Theme” by Club alumnus, professional recording artist and Lead Work Productions President and CEO Jamie “King James” Dennis brought the crowd to their feet, as did a surprise appearance by youth starlets, ages 6-13. Stunning vintage fashions from Fox Associates Founder Mary Stauss’ personal collection shimmered and shined, along with furs by The Fur Vault at Macy’s and Brown Shoe’s Santana Shoe line.
Twenty Girls’ Program Honorees, attired in elegant Macy’s outfits, were accompanied by impressive team of celebrity escorts down the runway to open the show. Recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and community service, the youth also perform a featured dance, choreographed The Best Talent Center, as the grand finale. The slate included: Damonica Adams, 16; Aigna Barber, 17; Abrillia Hamilton, 16; Tiffany Jerrod, 17; Amani Borders, 14; Sarah Davis, 13; Hadiyah Edwards, 13; Doa’Jai Elliot, 15; Rheanna Henson, 14; Brianna Hernandez, 13; Jasmine Huffman, 14; Demi Lewis, 14; Royalle Moore, 13; Ariona Mosby, 14; Mary Nguyen, 16; Iviana Singleton, 14; Brandee Springfield, 13; Cynthia Spires, 18; Renee’ Stephens, 15; and Haley Whiteside, 16.
The Sheer Elegance Award was presented to four leaders for their civic and community contributions: Penelope “Penny” Davis, community volunteer; JoAnn Hejna, executive director, The Saigh Foundation; Keith Williamson, senior vice president, corporate secretary & general counsel, Centene Corporation; and Strauss.
The all-star line-up of celebrity escorts included:
Gilbert Bailon, editorial page editor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Brent Benjamin, director, St. Louis Art Museum
Delores Betts-Mars, manager — retired, United States Postal Service
Mary Cannon, director, community affairs — retired, KMOV-TV, Channel 4
Cornute
Roland Corvington, assistant director — security division, Federal Bureau of Investigations
Mike Early, managing director, logistics and special projects, Build-A-Bear Workshop
Susan Fadem, freelance writer, Author & Marketing Specialist
Sherman George, fire chief — retired, St. Louis Fire Department
Rita Heard Days, senator, District 14, State of Missouri
Dr. Cleveland Hammonds, Jr., retired superintendent, St. Louis Public Schools
Rita Heard Days, senator, District 14, State of Missouri
Chief Dennis Jenkerson, fire chief & commissioner, St. Louis Fire Department
Eleanor Higgins, multicultural market developer, American Family Insurance
Douglas King, president & CEO, St. Louis Science Center
Marylen Mann, chairman of the board, Oasis
Martin Mathews, president, CEO & co-founder, Mathews-Dickey
Michael McMillan, license collector, City of St. Louis
Rev. Earl Nance, Jr., pastor, Greater Mount Carmel Missionary Baptist Church
Stephen O’Loughlin, president & chief operating officer, Lodging Hospitality Management (LHM)
Dennis Reagan, president, The Muny
David Robbins, vice president, Wainwright Industries, Inc.
Hon. Francis Slay, mayor, City of St. Louis
Kim Slay, first lady, City of St. Louis
Larry Starks, NBA news editor, ESPN
Denise Thimes, professional singer/actress
Ron Unterreiner, vice president, finance/business development, Rhodey & Son Construction Co., Inc.
Shirley Washington, reporter, KTVI Fox 2
Laurie Waters, anchor/reporter, KMOV-TV, Channel 4
Elaine Young, owner, Hopscotch Communications
The 2008 show was dedicated in memory of Helen Weiss, a ground-breaking public relations professional whose efforts at Famous-Barr and later Macy’s were critical to Sheer Elegance’s inception and ongoing success. In a special showtime tribute, Wiese and Buck donned pairs of the late PR maven's earrings, furnished by her children Dick and Jean Weiss.
Major sponsors were Macy’s, American Family Insurance, Joan Callis, Engelhardt Family Foundation, Nestle’ Purina PetCare, and the Saigh Foundation. The Girls’ Program provides educational, social, cultural, and sports programs for 10,000 young women annually. For more information, contact Washington or Bill Fronczak at (314) 382-5952, ext. 234.
See Sheer Elegance No.21 Video Highlights.
See History of Sheer Elegance.
Barbara Washington and American Family Insurance's Eleanor Higgins with the youth starlets..
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The Sheer Elegance Award Presentation: Wiese, Buck, Mathews, Keith Williamson, Mary Strauss, Jo Ann Hejna, Penny Davis and Washington.
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"A Starry Night with the Black Magic Women" scene featured vintage clothing from Mary Strauss, furs from The Fur Vault at Macy's and Santana shoes, produced by St. Louis' own Brown Shoe Company. Kasey Parks portrays Santana, while Christine Benne and Natasha Joy Stewart model.
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King James performs "O," his rap tribute to Oprah Winfrey, joined by former Out of Order bandmates Jay Damage and No-No.
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The Mathews-Dickey 2008 Girls' Program Honorees were attired by Macy's for their introductions and received the outfits as a gift for their permanent wardrobes.
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Archived:
19th Annual Sheer Elegance Fashion Show
18th Annual Sheer Elegance Fashion Show
17th Annual Sheer Elegance Fashion Show
16th Annual Sheer Elegance Fashion Show
15th Annual Sheer Elegance Fashion Show
13th Annual Sheer Elegance Fashion Show
© 2005 Mathews Dickey Boys' & Girls' Club site. Designed by the Moore Design Group.
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