Riverside Chic Lost-And-Found Clothing The Featured Items At Middle School’S Annual Fashion Show Auction

It’s time to add another fashion hot spot to the list: Paris, New York … Riverside.

The annual Riverside Middle School lost-and-found fashion show, benefiting the Associated Student Body, drew a raucous crowd of hundreds last week. Held in the Riverside Elementary School cafeteria, the show gave eager audience members a chance to ogle an eclectic array of pret-a-porter clothing from a variety of designers. Teacher and student models paraded down the cafeteria-table runway in outfits of their own design, pieced together from forgotten items collected through the year.

Audience members then had a chance to bid - from a quarter to $3 - on their favorites.

Dazzled by the offerings, seventh-grader Josi Wilkinson spent a dollar on four outfits. As she waited to collect her new wardrobe pieces, she admitted she wasn’t sure exactly what she had purchased. Often, it seemed bidders failed to distinguish between their excitement over the clothes and their excitement over the models.

A girl in baggy jeans, a white sleeveless tank top and a black Tommy Sport beanie followed another girl in a psychedelic rainbow skirt and red T-shirt, accessorized with a big sweat shirt.

Students strutted fleecy pieces paired with soccer cleats, flowered shorts and gloves, winter hats and backpacks.

Suddenly, the females in the audience collaborated on an ear-piercing scream. Was it a guest appearance by the dreamy boy band ‘N Sync? Nope - it was eighth-grader Mike Holden, sporting a dark print towel as a skirt, a white salad bowl hat and a black umbrella.

Innovation was definitely the theme of this year’s show. T-shirts worn draped over the head became smooth, cottony hair extensions. Sweat pants hiked up to the knees transformed easily into trendy capris. Eighth-grader Laura Colwell tossed a pair of nylon shorts on her head, creating what looked like a slouchy beret. Why the departure from the norm?

“I’m styling,” she stated confidently. “I’m a princess.”

Rogers students honor assistant

Don’t ever let it be said that Rogers students don’t give credit where credit is due.

Feeling particularly indebted to the services of instructional assistant Michael Emery, several students decided he needed to be honored for his 25 years of work at the school.

“When we’re in class, all he does is go around and help people,” said junior Allonda Smith. “He’s inspired me a lot. He doesn’t just give me the answers. He helps me.”

Smith and others contacted district officials to see if there was an award that could be given to Emery. Last week, he was surprised by a special ceremony and a certificate of achievement.

“I was in total shock. It was really neat,” said Emery, who works with high-risk students, many who have failed a class. “I try hard, but my goal is just for the kids to keep up with their work.”

Shadle student to study in Spain

The Spanish Embassy’s education office chose an essay by Shadle Park High School student Erin Krogel as one of 10 winners in a Spanish-language writing contest.

Each year the embassy sponsors a statewide contest; this year’s theme was “Mi Herencia” (My Heritage).

Krogel’s entry was selected as second-prize winner in the category for native speakers of languages other than Spanish. She, along with several other winners, was recently honored at the State Capitol and will study in Spain this summer.