By John C. O'Connell
Hundreds of parents and school officials celebrated the R.W. Carbonaro Elementary School experience at the Parent teacher Association's third annual fashion show last Thursday night, Feb. 1, at Russo's on the Bay in Howard Beach.
The lavish affair featured convivial company, energetic dancing, good music, fine food, almost 150 prizes and grand prizes and - best of all - a veritable parade of fashion modeled by Carbonaro's own.
Proceeds from the show support Carbonaro children's special programs and cultural events throughout the year.
The women who did the work of organizing the important event were co-chairpersons Barbara Cestaro and Lana Plinto, Donna LaRocco, Sondra Conlon, Marianne Zawislak, Donna Del Gais, Kathy Ricket, Diane Dalli, Myla Lim, Eva Kolitsos and Michelle Di Pierro.
"It is really great to see the teachers, administration and community pull together for this annual fashion show," school principal Dan Onorato said, "and special thanks must go to Mrs. Plinto and Mrs. Cestaro for a job well done."
Barbara Cestaro served as the emcee for the evening, and thanked everyone who donated prizes to the festive event. She also especially thanked three merchants who donated their services: Phyllis Goldin of Fussy Dresser on Broadway in Woodmere, Debbie Cavello and Joyce Shannon of New York and Company at the Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream and Phyllis Walley of Salon DP on Rockaway Parkway in Valley Stream.
The poised and pretty models who graced the runway were teens Nicole Benko, Chelsea Cittadino, Rebecca Kucker, Jessica Kroll and Jill Moran; and adults Jonna Berry, Drew Jakubowski, Ann Jeffrey-Wilenski, John Reece, Peggy Sciortino, Renee Socci, Tina Torres, Jason Wasloff and Christine Zawislak.
Among the many other volunteers who helped make the event so successful were Toni Ann Cannon, Ronnie Harnraadts, Carole Meaney, Kathy Neske, Rhonda Pavels and Joni Seletsky.
Take-home bags were filled and provided by Stand-Up NY Comedy Club and New West Agency, Irving Moskowitz and Merri Moments, Audra Juliano Meredit Corp., Jaime Inzano Heinrich Bauer Publications, Carol Hogan, and Avon Cosmetics.
