Behind the Seams: MUSD fashion show ready for centerstage

By DANIEL GARCIA 
The Tower    

For over a decade, Angie Anaya has been the driving force behind the Manteca Unified School District’s student-run fashion show, shaping it into a place where creativity meets professionalism.  

As her 14th year rings in, Anaya continues overseeing the concept all the way to the final runway walks ensuring every student gains hands on experience in the world of fast paced fashion. 

“But this is not my show, this is their show,” Anaya said, emphasizing the student-led part of the show. 

The fashion show is run by the three student ran committees being model, promotion, and production. This year they are ran by Manteca High School students, Naveah Sims, Zoe Walker, Sophia Cloyd, Beth “Joy” Paler, Deaja Nelson, and Bianca Gonzalez. 

“By not being biased, by like being open to having anyone and everyone included in the fashion show,” Naveah Sims said of the model committee, highlighting the inclusivity of the fashion show. 

With the show approaching, Anaya helps guide the students from the vision to the stitches. Of all fourteen years she leaves her mark creating young models and fashion designers leaving her footprint in every inch, stitch, and spotlight.  

The students involved in the fashion show is more than just an event—but a way to express themselves and build confidence. 

“Just be very passionate about it and be creative,” said Deaja Nelson in charge of the production committee. “I think that it can be very, like inspirational…” her words reflect the passion and dedication that help fuel the event year after year. 

Beyond the outfits and glamour of the runway, Anaya finds the most rewarding moment to be the transformation she witnesses in her students. 

“Watching the students be really proud of themselves at the end," she shared. “Watching them do things that they thought they couldn’t do or getting really emotional…” 

Making this moment when students realize they have the potential is what makes the long hours and tiring planning all the worthwhile.   

As the days near and the big day of March 1st arrives, final touches are made. The legacy of the show continues—built by the students, for the students, under the guidance of a mentor who believed in their upmost limitless potential. 

The Tower was lucky enough to sit down and tie lose threads with Angie Anaya amidst the hectic model casting days. 

The Tower: What level of creative freedom do you give the students and how do you guide them when needed? 

Angie Anaya: I try to give them as much freedom as possible, within the limitations that I have to be concerned with as the teacher. One of those limitations is a budget, because we do have a budget. Sometimes the budget allows us to do more creative things, sometimes it doesn’t. I do like them to be as creative as possible, but I also am there to make sure that, like, how are they going to make that happen?

TT: What skills do you help students gain from participating in the event? 

AA: Collaborating is the main thing, so not just collaboration and working together as a team in a class to create this amazing fashion show but also collaborating with other students and different programs. If it’s with interior design and doing the VIP room, or if it’s with the culinary students over at Sierra High and doing the food for the VIP event as well. Or, if it’s the JROTC students doing security for the event. Or, if it’s collaborating with the models from all the different high schools and having them participate.

TT: How do you feel the fashion show contributes to the school’s culture or community? 

AA: It’s definitely something that every single year it’s expected, and it’s (an event) people are waiting for it, and I know that people are always super supportive of it. So, I think for us, it’s like creating this really unique experience for our small town.   

TT: Looking back at previous shows, how has the event evolved over time under your guidance?  

AA: I think we’ve become a little bit more streamlined, and for myself, personally, I have stopped sweating small things and try not to get stressed about those little things.

TT: Why do you think events like this are important for students? 

AA: Because they’re realistic, and they’re hands on. … I truly believe that hands-on experience is something that students can add to classroom learning and it could benefit them by giving that experience of the industry.

TT: Final question — what’s the most rewarding part of overseeing the fashion show? 

AA: Watching the students be really proud of themselves at the end. Watching them do things that they thought they couldn’t do or getting really emotional about it because they struggled — and they will struggle — and they overcame it. I get the honor of being out and watching the show and seeing all the work that they have done, out on that runway and watching the audience, seeing their work. It’s super exciting.