Students model fashion designs inspired by the four elements of nature as part of the Southeastern Regional 2022 Trashin’ Fashion Show on Thursday, March 31. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School) Students model fashion designs inspired by the four elements of nature as part of the Southeastern Regional 2022 Trashin’ Fashion Show on Thursday, March 31. Pictured front left is Alexis Gardner modeling a design by Jeannie Gonzalez. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School) Students model fashion designs inspired by the four elements of nature as part of the Southeastern Regional 2022 Trashin’ Fashion Show on Thursday, March 31. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School) Chaia Weaver (front) models her own design. Kalei Reid also models a design by Ava Winter (back left) and Kymani Baynes models his own design. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School) 
Kymani Baynes models his own design. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School) Students model fashion designs inspired by the four elements of nature as part of the Southeastern Regional 2022 Trashin’ Fashion Show on Thursday, March 31. Pictured in the center is Joseph Montal, modeling a design by Marily Debarros. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School) 
Oni Igiede models her own design. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School) 
Ayla Vargas models a design by Lyssandra Rodriguez. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School) 
Sophie Margolis (front) and Jo Rivera perform “When Will My Life Begin” from Disney’s Tangled. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School) 
Andrew Pires listens to “Lotus” by Jhene Aiko before offering a reflection and interpretation of the song. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School) 
Nathan Seize (left) performs “Environmentalism” with the help of Masters of Ceremonies Damontae Yassen (back right) and Evan Tibbetts (front). (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School) 
Crystal Miranda models her own design. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School) 
Emma Lacara models a design by Alexandra Sokolowski. (Photo courtesy Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School)
SOUTH EASTON — Superintendent Luis Lopes and Principal Leslie Weckesser are pleased to share that the Southeastern 2022 Trashin’ Fashion Show was held last week, featuring 19 student designs modeled by students, as well as several performances, all centered on nature, sustainability and environmental conscientiousness.
The runway show took place Thursday, March 31 in the school’s new Performing Arts Center. Many Southeastern students, staff members and other invited guests were in attendance.
The purpose of the Trashin’ Fashion Show is to help students become more aware of their environment, inspire them to come up with creative ways to live a green lifestyle and help them understand how the arts can be a strong motivational force for social change. The event is also an opportunity for students to learn about fashion design, performance art, marketing and collaboration.
Many months of planning and preparation went into the show by students and teachers across several departments. Advertising and Design students designed the avant-garde outfits, including clothing, accessories, hair and makeup designs for young men and women. The student designers used recycled and repurposed materials and clothing in their creations.
The theme for this year’s show focused on the four elements: earth, water, fire and air.
The students’ outfits were created from recyclable materials. Advertising and Design teacher Shirley Ezerins purchased some of the fashion show materials – which would have been disposed of if they hadn’t been resold – through Resources Recycling for Rhode Island Education, a teacher’s resource center.
The designs were then modeled during the show by Advertising and Design and Marketing and Entrepreneurship students.
Below are the student designers, models and the element of nature their design was centered around:
- Designer: Jeannie Gonzalez, Model: Alexis Gardner (Earth)
- Designer: Zariya Blevins, Model: Carmen Mayllazhungo (Water)
- Designer: Marily Debarros, Model: Joseph Montal (Fire)
- Designer: Ava Winter, Model: Kalei Reid (Air)
- Designer: Ash Culp, Model: Sofia Dansby (Earth)
- Designer: Chaia Weaver, Model: Weaver (Water)
- Designer: Ann Madonna, Model: Jovera Rice (Earth)
- Designer: Andrew Toy, Model: Jo Rivera (Water)
- Designer: Jaquelynne Wilson, Model: Anne Lamotte (Fire)
- Designer: Joseph Montal, Model: Madison Paull (Air)
- Designer: Kymani Baynes, Model: Baynes (Earth)
- Designer: Sydney Kullen, Model: Kullen (Water)
- Designer: Andrea Lea, Model: Lilianna Lehrer (Earth)
- Designer: Grace Dyer, Model: Callie Fernandes (Water)
- Designer: Abigail Joseph, Model: Vladimir Alves (Fire)
- Designer: Lyssandra Rodriguez, Model: Ayla Vargas (Air)
- Designer: Crystal Miranda, Model: Miranda (Earth)
- Designer: Oni Igiede, Model: Igiede (Water)
- Designer: Alexandra Sokolowski, Model: Emma Lacara (Earth)
Aside from the fashions, students also shared messages about the environment and sustainability through singing, rapping, reading poetry, and offering reflections and interpretations of songs. Student performers included:
- Nathan Coelho, performing the poem “Looking Out the Window” by Coelho
- Sophie Margolis and Jo Rivera, performing “When Will My Life Begin” from Disney’s “Tangled”
- Margolis, Rivera and Isiah Shorrow, performing “Earth” by Jacqueline Lopez
- Andrew Pires, offering a reflection on “Lotus” by Jhene Aiko
- Ali Sefiyaoui, performing “Mother Earth” by David Mottram
- Mekhai Barbosa, performing “Lovin’ Nature” to the music from “Sept. 16” by Kid Cudi
- Nathan Seize, performing “Environmentalism,” lyrics by Seize and Omar Carrion, music by Justin Terrelonge
The show was additionally supported by the Performing Arts Department, and the key message of conservation and preservation is supported year-round by the Natural & Life Sciences Department.
“The Trashin’ Fashion Show is a unique and inspiring event that showcases our students’ talent and creativity, as well as brings attention to important environmental sustainability topics,” Principal Weckesser said. “It’s always great to see the support and recognition our student designers, models and performers receive from their peers and other audience members during the show. Congratulations to Shirley Ezerins and all of the students and staff members involved in the Trashin’ Fashion Show on a great event.”
###