Students support Ukrainian teen with ‘Fashion for Freedom’ – Vero News

A terrific venue, a sold-out house, impeccable execution and the unwavering determination of Indian River Charter High School students, staff and parents resulted in a highly successful Fashion for Freedom fundraiser.

The unique event raised funds to support Sophia Hlushchenko, now a 16-year-old Charter student, who was safely transported out of Russian-occupied Ukraine and into Vero Beach as a student in the school’s Visual and Performing Arts program thanks to the entire school’s tireless efforts.

When Sophia applied to Charter more than a year ago, she and her mother were in hiding from the occupying Russian army. The teen was attempting to continue her schooling online instead of attending a Russian school, as was required of all Ukrainian students.

When she was accepted by Charter, the process to bring her over began in earnest. As everyone started raising money for her trip, the school worked with the nonprofit International Cultural Exchange Services organization to expedite the required paperwork.

Together, they saw the plan come to fruition and Sophia, traveling alone, made it out of Ukraine, to Warsaw and then Frankfort. Finally, exhausted and thrilled, she met her host family at the Orlando airport for this next stage of her life as a VAPA student.

“I feel so welcome here. Charter feels like my second home,” said Sophia, who is being hosted by a generous beachside Charter family.

On the evening of Fashion for Freedom, the impressive Charter Hall had been wonderfully transformed into a New York Fashion Week venue, complete with exceptional lighting design, a long, elevated runway, rows of seating, and an air of anticipation. The stylish black-and-white theme was perfectly punctuated with sunflowers (soniashnyk), Ukraine’s national flower.

During a pre-show VIP party, amidst music and animated conversation, efficient student servers moved among the guests offering mock-tails and enticing hors d’oeuvres provided by Wild Thyme Catering using Ukrainian recipes.

A variety of tempting silent-auction items included a beautiful red and blue beaded necklace made by Sophia’s mother, who remains overseas. And the show’s Fashion Sponsors, Patchington, In Motion and Seahorse Lane Boutique displayed an assortment of items from their shops.

Show host Michael Naffziger, assistant principal/artist director, kicked things off by introducing Sophia herself as the emcee. After sharing that she had been studying English for six years, Sophia handled the segment intros with charm and poise. She had also designed the show program.

David Mundy and VAPA musicians cranked up the party vibe with upbeat jazz and set the perfect strut-your-stuff pace for the exceptional student models, who had been trained by professional models Shawn Huddleston and Taylor Benoit.

The young men and women delighted the cheering audience as they conquered the runway, nailing the walk, attitude and blase demeanor as if they’d done it for years.

The first segment, Fashion Through the Eras, featured 10 looks created by the students, covering historical eras from Middle Ages to Postmodern. Fringe was the name of the game as models showcased Patchington’s look; neon pinks and greens highlighted the athletically stylish In Motion outfits; and soft fabrics and a delicious Vero-centric bag beguiled from Seahorse Lane.

The students also modeled a Thrifty Fashion segment, where each model put together an entire outfit from a thrift shop spending no more than $20, and they all came up with some creative, yet very wearable looks.

Photos by Joshua Kodis