WORCESTER—Some familiar Worcester faces trade usual workplaces for the runway next week, all to help a group of talented high school students take their performances to the national stage.
The third annual Shea Foundation Fashion Show, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20, at Luciano’s at Union Station, brings together elected officials, business leaders, educators and local personalities to raise money for the Burncoat High School Spirit Team’s trip to a national competition in Orlando, Florida.
The fundraiser supports approximately 60 student dancers and musicians from Burncoat’s dance team and pep band, which have again qualified for the Universal Dance Association’s National High School Dance Team Championship at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex. The Burncoat program, part of Worcester Public Schools’ Arts Magnet Program, is the only spirit program from the Northeast competing at the national championship, according to the Shea Foundation.
Students compete in several categories, including small varsity jazz, small varsity hip hop, JV pom and game day live, which combines dance performances with live music from the pep band.
For Kellie Shea, director of Burncoat’s dance department, the opportunity represents something much larger than a competition.
“Coming from an inner-city school, some of our students would have never had this experience of performing at a national level, participating in the arts, and traveling to Florida if it were not for their participation in this program and on this team,” Shea told the Worcester Guardian. “These young adults are defying the odds, and they are doing it at a high level and on the highest stage.”
Getting there, however, requires more than talent and practice. Competition fees, uniforms, footwear and travel expenses create significant costs for students and their families, making community fundraising an important part of the team’s journey.
“The biggest obstacle for us is having to raise the funds to attend this trip,” Shea said. “It is a pretty hefty bill and no easy feat traveling with 50 students to compete at nationals. Community fundraising is 100% how we are able to make this trip happen.”
Without the support of friends, families and the community, she said, the trip would not be possible.
The fashion show, organized by Karon Shea Model Management, puts a distinctly Worcester spin on the traditional runway event, with community figures stepping into the spotlight to support the students.
Among those scheduled to model are state Sen. Robyn Kennedy; Worcester Bravehearts President Matt Vaccaro; Eric Butler, executive director of the Museum of Worcester; Christine Murray, executive director of the Worcester Public Library Foundation; and Victor Infante, features editor for the Telegram & Gazette and editor of Worcester Magazine.
Also participating is Sherry Levin, Holy Cross’ all-time leading women’s basketball scorer, author and motivational speaker.
Taylor Nunez-Murray, a Worcester Public Schools teacher, takes part in the fashion show in her wheelchair to raise awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, according to the foundation.
The event combines fundraising with a celebration of the city’s arts community and the students whose work has earned Burncoat a place on the national stage.
Supporting arts education
Burncoat’s Arts Magnet Program, established in 1985, provides specialized instruction in dance and music, giving students opportunities to develop their artistic abilities while building teamwork, discipline and communication skills.
Under Shea’s leadership, the program has maintained a 100% graduation rate among participating students, according to the foundation.
“Our youth face so many distractions today,” Shea said in the foundation’s announcement. “Our program requires students to collaborate with their peers on artistic projects and performances, building teamwork, communication, and social skills that benefit them far beyond the stage.”
In her responses to the Guardian, Shea described how the experience can transform students in ways that extend well beyond their performances.
“The students develop confidence, leadership skills, discipline, and a sense of belonging. Students who may never have interacted before are now working together toward a common goal, building friendships, learning to respect each other’s talents, and understanding what it truly means to be part of something bigger than themselves.”
She said those lessons also carry into the classroom, where students must balance demanding rehearsal schedules with academic responsibilities.
“Our students learn time management, accountability, teamwork, and how to balance academics with a demanding performance schedule. Whether they go on to pursue music, dance, or an entirely different career, they leave with skills that will serve them well beyond high school.”
For Shea, the program’s greatest achievements cannot be measured in trophies.
“For me, the biggest success isn’t the trophies or titles. It’s watching students discover who they are, recognize what they’re capable of, and leave our program believing in themselves.”
A chance to represent Worcester
For student Sydney Szydlik, the upcoming trip is an opportunity to share the national stage with teammates experiencing the competition for the first time.
“I am most excited about competing on stage with a brand new team,” Szydlik told the Worcester Guardian. “Seeing the excitement of the members of our team who have never experienced something like this is amazing.”
Szydlik has been part of Burncoat’s Game Day Live team for all four years of its existence, giving her a firsthand perspective on how the program has developed.
“I’ve been Lucky enough to have been on all four years of Game Day Live team, so we started the legacy, and I’m so Proud of this team, where we come from and where we are now, and I can’t wait to see how it grows in the years to come.”
Her connection to the program also reflects the sense of community Shea hopes students take away from the experience.
“Being part of the Burncoat Spirit Team means being involved in something bigger than me. It’s about representing Burncoat and the city of Worcester.”
The foundation says community support is particularly important as public arts and cultural programs face financial pressures.
Proceeds from the fashion show, including ticket sales, table reservations, program advertisements and sponsorships, will help cover the costs of sending the students to Florida.
The Shea Foundation, a Worcester nonprofit, supports opportunities for young people through arts, athletics and community leadership programs.
Its annual fashion show has become one way to bring local supporters together while helping Burncoat students pursue opportunities that might otherwise be financially difficult to access.
Fashion show details
The third annual Shea Foundation Fashion Show takes place Friday, Nov. 20, at Luciano’s at Union Station in Worcester.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., followed by a performance by the Burncoat Spirit Team, including the dance team and pep band, at 6 p.m. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., and the fashion show starts at 7 p.m. The event runs until 9:30 p.m.
Tickets are $100 per person and include a full buffet dinner, DJ entertainment, the fashion show and student performances. Tables of 10 are available for $900.
Attendees will also have opportunities to purchase raffle tickets for prizes and gift baskets, including Worcester Bravehearts merchandise and tickets.
Tickets, table reservations, sponsorship opportunities and additional information are available at SheaFoundation.org.
For event inquiries, contact Shea Foundation board member Christina Andrianopoulos at CiAndrian18@gmail.com.
