Students strut their stuff to raise money for Haiti

Approximately 250 students gathered in the Trabant University Center Multipurpose Room  on Wednesday to watch 17 students strut their stuff on the runway to support Students for Haiti.

Top Model 2009 was sponsored by the Red Cross Club, junior Nithin Paul, the event's committee chair, said. The show was a combination of modeling, performances and presentations put together by different university organizations and RSOs.  Students modeled in four different rounds: casual, school spirit, formal wear and a question/answer round.

"We wanted to break out of the stereotypical idea of a model and vote for who has more fun out there," Paul said.

Top Model is an annual event whose proceeds go towards a different cause each year. In the past, it has raised money for Hurricane Katrina victims as well as the Red Cross in Sudan. 

This year, the money was donated to Students for Haiti, a newly-formed RSO on campus that is raising money toward the construction of a medical clinic in a village in Haiti. Clinic officals have staff and medical supplies, but need to raise money for constructing the actual building. Therefore, all of the proceeds from Top Model will be sent directly to a charity called St. Boniface Haiti Foundation, which is in charge of building the clinic, Paul said.

"When we heard about the cause for Students for Haiti we thought it was great, and you could tell how passionate they are about it," Paul said. "All we really need is support to help spread the word and raise money."

Sophomore Nandini Razdan, one of the models in the show, said she is happy to help Haiti from home.

"It just shows that you can be a part of helping them out without directly being there to build the clinic," Razdan said.

She said she was always interested in joining Students for Haiti, but could not find the time.

"Participating in the show seemed like something fun to do for the good cause," Razdan said. "It's much more about the money we raise for Haiti than about looking great on the runway."

During the show, junior Matt Watters, president of Students for Haiti, urged the audience to help do its part in raising money for the children there who need it most. 

"Twenty-five thousand dollars is the only thing stopping this community from getting the help they deserve," Watters said. "Another day that goes by is another day a baby can be born into these conditions. Those kids need our help and we don't want to give them false hope."

Sophomore Rikki Blindman said she was touched by Watters ‘presentation.

"When the president of Students for Haiti told that story and showed pictures and everything, it really made it feel more real to me," Blindman said.

She said she heard about Top Model through a Facebook invitation. 

Between each of the modeling rounds, different university groups were offered the opportunity to perform and get their word out. The Dark Arts Performing Dance Company, which is a hip-hop dance group, performed at the event.        

Delaware Kamaal, a group of students who do Indian-inspired dancing, also entertained the crowd. There was also an acoustic performance as well as an appearance by HeaRt Beatz,  a beat-boxing group.

In addition to Students for Haiti, there were also presentations given by STAND as well as the B+ Foundation. Both urged students to help support their causes.

Freshman Niki Muse, who attended the event to cheer on one of her friends in the show, said she was very pleased with where the proceeds were going. 

"I think the Students for Haiti is a really, really good cause," Muse said. "I've visited really poor countries before, and I think they definitely need any help we can give them."

At the end of the night, three of the students were chosen as the winners. Raffle winners were also chosen and were given gifts from various stores and restaurants.

"The show was better than I expected and the atmosphere was really upbeat," Blindman said. "I would definitely come back next year."

Paul said the club will also be sponsoring the upcoming UDance, which is an event on March 17 that helps raise money and awareness for children with pediatric cancer and pediatric AIDS.

"I think we were very successful and we raised a good amount of money," he said. "We're getting closer to that goal."