The University of Central Florida’s College of Nursing hosted its first Fashion Show Fundraiser recently at Bella Winter Park, a women’s clothing and accessory store.

The show was March 15, and 10 percent of the proceeds from purchases made March 15-18 will benefit College of Nursing student scholarships in the 2012-2013 academic year. Every year students who are currently enrolled in one of the College of Nursing BSN, MSN, DNP, or Ph.D. programs are eligible to apply for scholarships.

In 2011-2012, about 35 different scholarships awarded approximately $65,000 to 47 nursing student recipients.

The Fashion Show Fundraiser featured four models: Sigrid Ladores, Anne Norris, Julee Waldrop, and Heather Williams, all of whom are faculty and staff members in the College of Nursing. Each model showed five looks, displaying to the audience the designers that Bella carries. Guests who attended the fashion show included friends and family members of the models and hosts, College of Nursing faculty and staff members, as well as other UCF constituents and community partners.

Bella Winter Park’s store owner, Susan Johnson, wanted to give back to her community by supporting the College of Nursing student scholarship fund, as well as hosting the event. Johnson said: “I was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the College of Nursing. Dr. Leuner (dean of the college) is a shining example of true leadership in a university setting, by engaging the community and bringing awareness to the needs of the nursing students. My mother is a retired nurse and I know the commitment it takes in today’s world to become such a highly skilled medical professional.”

Proceeds from the sales of the evening resulted in more than $600 benefiting College of Nursing student scholarships.  Dean Jean Leuner expressed her appreciation to Johnson and the staff at Bella Winter Park for hosting the fundraiser. Dr. Leuner is grateful to everyone for their support of UCF nursing students, who are the next generation of health care leaders.

Accepted nursing students can find a listing of scholarships by visiting the College of Nursing website at https://www.nursing.ucf.edu/students/undergraduate-students/college-scholarships/ .

For information on making a donation toward a student scholarship please contact Katie Korkosz at 407-823-1600.