Fashion show provides opportunities for special athletes

Young women and men dressed in their finest clothes Sunday to walk across the runway at the 27th annual Gold Medal Fashion Show presented by the Special Leisure Services Foundation at The Meadows Club in Rolling Meadows.

The annual event raises money for children and adults with disabilities who participate in Northwest Special Recreation Association programs and athletic events.

"All of the funds raised today will go to benefit the participants with accessible transportation, scholarships, inclusion opportunities, athletics and general program funding," said Nanette Sowa, superintendent of development for NWSRA. "Some of our models have been models for all 27 years. This is a big highlight of the year."

The theme of this years show was We Are Family, and each model was accompanied by a family member or a friend down the runway. At the end of the walk, family members read a paragraph about the model and what makes them so special.

"I like being in the fashion show. I have a purse and a sweater and a dress," said Rebecca Nalepa, 12, of Mount Prospect, before demonstrating how she would walk down the runway with her younger sister, Tabitha.

This year's program included 16 girls and 16 boys. Two of the models walked with their therapy dogs.