West New York - Students posed as runway models wearing today's latest fashions donated by different merchants in West New York and other surrounding areas for the first fashion show at West New York Public School No. 2 last week. The Here's Looking At You 2000 fashion show, which took place on June 1, was the school's first attempt at a joint effort from parents, teachers, students and the community. "This cooperative effort is a major step forward toward the objective of forging a greater sense of togetherness among students, parents, teachers, businesses and West New York residents," said Stacy Olivero, an eighth grade teacher and school facilitator. Principal Sixto Cardenas added, "This type of program will get the parents into schools. A responsible partnership between parents and the school would yield better education for our students." Many area merchants responded to a letter asking for help with the event. According to Cardenas, "This will be the first of many activities to foster school and community relations." The students, with their parents and teachers, went to the stores together to pick out a wardrobe. "The merchants were phenomenal in response to the children," said Anna Karras who was a member of the fashion show committee. "They were willing to do anything to make this night a success." The students were able to choose any outfit they wanted from the participating stores. "This outfit just stood out to me," said Addison Perez, an eighth grader wearing black pants and a silver button-down shirt from High Gear. "It was on top and really shiny." While eighth-grader Monica Sanchez, who also picked her outfit from High Gear, wanted to find something that was similar to what she normally wears to school and that was comfortable, others tried to choose something different. Vickie Aguirre, also in the eighth grade, chose a knee-length, black dress from T.J. Maxx to model the executive look. Two students from each homeroom, ranging from pre-kindergarten to eighth grade, were able to participate in the event "What is so special about this is that every classroom was included," said Karras. "This included pre-k, handicapped, special education and alternative classes. The students ranged in age from 3 to 14." Karras explained that a letter was sent home to the students' parents about the event. The parents then decided whether or not they were interested in having their child participate in the show. Many of the models used this as a chance to boost their self-esteem. "It makes me feel good about myself," said Sanchez who had a role in the production of "42nd Street" that was performed at Memorial High School. "I like my school, so I participate. It is a really nice thing to do for the community." However, for many of the models, this was their first time on stage. Perez, who has never been on stage before, said, "I am a little nervous, but once I get up there I will relax." After seeing the amount of work that went into this fashion show, the teachers at the school are not sure if this year's show will turn into an annual event. "It was very hectic," said Cardenas about preparing for the show. "We had a committee that worked hard for many weeks." Karras added, "There will be an annual community, parent, teacher and student event, but it is up to a school committee what it will be." The stores participating in the fashion show were Footlocker, High Gear, Kid's World, Little Marcy's and Modells in West New York, Marshalls in North Bergen and T.J. Maxx in Edgewater.