The University of Pittsburgh NSCS chapter partnered with Her Campus to host a fashion show to raise money for “She’s the First”, an organization that sponsors girls’ education in developing countries.
Pitt’s NSCS Vice President of PACE, Derilyn Devlin, teamed up with Becca Nock, who was starting a chapter of “She’s the First” at Pitt, to lead a combination of thirty NSCS members and Pitt students to put on the entire show. Devlin, a senior Communications and Sociology major, who is also the campus correspondent for Her Campus, tries to involve both organizations in any event that she plans. She thought that this event fit well within the values and goals of both organization, and said it, “sounded so fun and a great way for people to get involved with NSCS in a new kind of way.”
NSCS Members were involved in various aspects of the show. In particular, two members worked as stage crew, and others helped with tasks such as: assisting with getting donations used for the raffle (for fundraising); helping with PR and ushering people inside the event; modeling in the show’s finale; and helping with communication between those involved in the show.
The event was a big success because it involved a diverse array of student performing groups that preceded the fashion show as the finale. Additionally, Devlin and Nock made sure that Pitt students were involved in every element of the show, which was rewarding for Devlin: “I felt like I gave Pitt students an opportunity they might not have had otherwise, especially the models, and they all rocked it.”
The event raised a total of $353, enabling the NSCS Pitt Chapter and Her Campus to sponsor an orphan from Ethiopia for a full-year private school education. She will be placed in a home run by the Selamta Family project and will receive a private school education complete with school supplies, a school uniform, sports registration fees, and summer programs. Additionally, she will receive a small budget for celebrations such as birthdays and holidays, and a small amount of savings.
Reflecting on the event, Devlin said, “I think everyone felt a sense of empowerment like we can really make changes, even if it’s just in one little girl’s life.”