Prom Walks Down the Runway

Melissa Hernandez, Staff Writer
April 29, 2016

FIDM Fashion Club held its first fashion show on Friday, April 22, in the DHS theater, where this event intended to show and inspire the audience with regards to possible outfits for this year’s prom. The show was successful with a full house and no mishaps.

Prior to this year the prom fashion show was organized by Downey ASB. For the 2016 Prom Fashion Show that responsibility was given to the fashion club. This year’s prom theme is masquerade, and the shows’ stylists decided to make it nothing more than glamorous. Glamour Gowns collaborated with the ladies and Downey Rent-A-Tux collaborated with the guys for their outfits.

Valerie DeAnda, 11, a model participating in the show as well as the only junior, was excited to walk down the runway prior to this event.

“I’m most excited about modeling itself. When I get in front of people at school it’s either because I have to present or because I’m getting crazy,” DeAnda said, “but with modeling, it’s different. It’s a new feeling! I suppose I feel elegant.”

After all the models had their solo walk down the runway, it was time to see the couples walk out together. The theater lights went out, giving a feeling of suspense as to what was coming next. Simultaneously, the spotlight and the music turned on revealing Daevon Vigilant, 12, in a white tuxedo, bent down on one knee holding out a rose, and facing him was Yasaman Peyvandi, 12.

In that instant, the crowd roared and was one of the stand out moments of the show.

“I thought it was a fun, memorable moment,” Peyvandi said. “I expected that excited reaction from the crowd. The show was really fun and that reaction only made everyone more comfortable in that moment.”

As a special surprise segment of the show, the male models were to compete against each other to see who could win a free rental tux from Downey Rent-A-Tux. The models were to walk out with their best catwalk to get the crowd’s support, as they were choosing the winner.

One by one the guys came out strutting their stuff to get the crowd’s support. Hinckley Ropati, 12, made a smooth entrance by doing the moonwalk. This not only excited the crowd, but earned him the free rental tuxedo.

“It felt really good to win because I felt like the lucky one. Walking down the runway was nerve racking, but when I heard how much the crowd was into it, it was fun,” Ropati said. “I really recommend more people try for it because it’s a really fun experience.”

One of three club advisers, Ms. Fresquez, helped behind the scenes during the show, helping with the models walk and with the music. She was heavily involved and expected the show to live up to the hype.

“I am very pleased with the outcome. Everything went as well as it could have! It was more than I imagined it would be. The turnout alone was so incredible! The models pulled through and the club did an amazing job with the final presentation,” Fresquez said. “There’s a ton of ideas that would improve what we already started: from choreography, to special acts and even some surprise appearances. Hopefully we have established that the Fashion Club’s Prom Fashion Show is something to be a part of.”

Club president, Maria Hernandez, 12, worked hand-in-hand with the shows sponsors, Downey Rent-A-Tux and Glamour Gowns. Her long and hard work only added to her anticipation before the biggest project the fashion club has prepared for actually happened.

“After about a year of planning, and going back and forth with our sponsors, it seemed like forever, but to know it’s tomorrow has me on a roller coaster of mixed emotions,” Hernandez said. “The pressure is on, but I know it will be a day to remember.”

The atmosphere in the theater was euphoric. The audience cheered and whistled for every model. FIDM Fashion Club’s first fashion show was a success, and Downey High’s students should keep an eye out for next year’s fashion show.

FIDM Fashion Club meets every Tuesday in Mr. Casarez’s room B-105. New members are always welcome.

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About the Contributors

Melissa Hernandez, Staff Writer

Writing has played an important part in Melissa Hernandez’s life, as she has been writing in a quiet place, since the age of five, for her enjoyment and the entertainment of her father.

“I remember as a small child I would write stories to my dad,” Hernandez said. “Once he read them, he would compliment me on my storyline; he would really support me.”

Hernandez enjoys taking real life experiences and turning them into fictional stories.

This allows her to vent without disclosing the identities of the people around her.

Hernandez’s friend Samantha Melgoza enjoys showing her creative side through writing. Melgoza has been writing for four years and plans to pursue a career as a writer because she believes its way to stay in touch with her childhood while being seen as a professional.

“I like to write because it’s a way to show whatever imagination I have,” Melgoza said.

Michelle Vilarino, another friend of Hernandez, has been writing for five years as a hobby. She does not plan on perusing a career in writing but does plan to keep it as a hobby or a possible side job.

“It’s kind of a way to escape,” Michelle Vilarino said, “you can insert yourself in a story that would never happen.”

Hernandez only writes as a past time and does not plan to become a full time fiction writer in the future. She does however want to pursue a career in journalism.

Cintia Macias, Co-Photo Editor

With little experience but her sister as an inspiration, senior, Cintia Macias joined the Downey High School yearbook staff the summer of her junior year, and later became photo editor for both, the school newspaper and yearbook.

“I’m really critical of my work,” Macias said. “Naturally, I didn’t think that me, out of all the other wonderful photographers on staff, would be photo editor.”

Having little to no interest in the subject, Macias took a liking to photography after an opening for yearbook, just a week before her junior year. At first not being sure, photography would later become one of her greatest passions, although she still had a lot to learn.

“I didn’t know how to teach her. It was an entirely new concept for her and she had no interest in it until about a week before she started her junior year. I couldn’t project what I knew and what was in my head to her,” sister Cindy Macias said. “I always love seeing new photos of events she goes to.”

While being shy at first, Macias has been able to develop many things thanks to photography. Having the will to learn, and being able to seek help from the then photo editor, Fernando Mandujano, Macias was able to come out of her comfort zone, meet new people, and become a leader, all while doing something she loves.

“She’s definitely learned to become more of a leader because of photography,” Mandujano said. “She can lead a group of photographers and she’s managed to teach them how to work with cameras.”

Macias plans on pursuing a career in photography in the future, with her goal being able to work for a big publishing firm and becoming a well-known photographer.

The Downey Legend

The Downey Legend

Prom Walks Down the Runway

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