The Fashion House crew included, from left, front row, Maria Caballero, Sandy Fisher, Patty Blesso, Becky Freie, Marty Holmes and Shelly Meachum. From left, back row, are Bud Beebe, Ronda Leuty, Pamela Soule, Valerie, Lubinsky, Rosemary Lamb and Mario Parker. Photo by Judy Andrews.

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - The recent Woman’s Thursday Club of Fair Oaks annual Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show, a festive sold-out gala, has been a beloved tradition in the community for more than 50 years.

The April 17 gala at North Ridge Country Club raised funds for local graduating high school seniors attending college next year.

Some members of the events committee strike a pose. From left are Phyllis Williams, Linda Poya, Marty Holmes, Patricia Speere, Lynn Steen, Trude Vasquez and Judy Faught. Photo by Judy Andrews

This year, six students from Bella Vista, Casa Roble and Mira Loma High Schools will each receive $1,500 in scholarship funds. High school seniors were invited to apply for the scholarships in early April and finalists were selected by the event’s scholarship committee, led by Carol Buck, just days before the luncheon. Proceeds from ticket and raffle drawing sales will fund next year’s scholarships. 

A special luncheon for the finalists and their families will be held on May 20 at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Rancho Cordova.

From left, Terrie O’Donnell, Gina Fields and Marty Holmes enjoy some social time while waiting for their entrees. Photo by Judy Andrews

This year’s Annual Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show theme was “Denim and Diamonds.” Many attendees wore their finest bling and cowgirl boots to complement the theme. Clothing stores Chico’s and White House Black Market, located at the Palladio in Folsom, provided the models with three different outfits to wear during the fashion show segment.

The models were all volunteers and members of the Woman’s Thursday Club of Fair Oaks. They included Patty Blesso, Sandy Fisher, Becky Freie, Ronda Leuty, Valerie Lubinsky and Pam Soule. Bud Beebe and Mario Parker escorted.

More than 100 raffle gifts and door prizes were distributed during the event. Thanks to Trude Vasquez at Ships and Trips Travel, one lucky winner took home a $500 gift certificate for a Southwest Airlines ticket.

Volunteers Patty Rock, left, and Diana Cralle enjoy selling raffle tickets. Photo by Judy Andrews

Vasquez chaired the luncheon and fashion show, alongside co-chair Judy Faught. The two women have led the event for 11 consecutive years.

Other committee members included Marty Holmes and Rosemary Lamb, Fashion House and Model Coordinators; Phyllis Williams and Sue Estes, Raffle Prize Coordinators; Patricia Speere, Raffle Ticket Sales Coordinator; Sheba Jackson, Tickets and Reservation Coordinator; and Carol Buck, Scholarship Chair.

The Women’s Thursday Club of Fair Oaks has existed since 1902, supporting charities and events that benefit the community and beyond. The club’s annual Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show is its largest fundraiser of the year. For more information about the club, contact Terrie O’Donnell at [email protected].

Model Patty Blesso, dressed in sportswear, waits for her turn to walk the runway with escort Bud Beebe. Photo by Judy Andrews.