Oldtimers would describe Toni Munoz Hunt as a cool drink of water. Ho-hum. Today’s crowd would just say Toni is a magnificent flute of champagne. Toni would probably smile and accept the compliment. But delve a bit deeper. You’ll find that she was the smallest kid in her class in a city along the border. Suddenly her height surged, so she was the tallest one in the crowd almost overnight.
Pausing Wednesday at the America Scores Fall Fashion Preview Party honoring the SoccerBall host committee in HP Village’s Billy Reid, Toni with her thick bangs and perfect skin admitted that modeling was the turning point. An agent advised her to change her last name and drop the “heavy Mexican” accent. She kept her last name adding Hunt to it when she married Daniel Hunt. As for the accent, it’s nowhere in sight.
What was apparent was a woman who admitted that she realized that she was going to be loyal to her own self-worth, not the exterior appearance.
Toni told how she had recently talked with Roger Staubach and realized the similarity of modeling and athletics.
For this reason Toni not only is developing a website for girls to realize their own potential, but she is also serving with Daniel on the host committee for the America Scores fundraiser.
As the crowd and heat within the HP Village boutique grew with host Jose Reyes greeting folks at the door, FC Dallas players—midfielder Victor Ulloa, defender Stephen Kent, midfielder Kellyn Acosta and defender George John—modeled Billy Reid attire. At first the fellows looked a little stand-offish about being models but, once in the crowd, they looked right at home in their guy fashions.
Honorary Chair Sharron Hunt emphasized that the importance of America Scores extends far beyond the soccer fields. It also includes community service and poetry-literacy. Currently America Scores Dallas is partnering with 10 schools with third through fifth graders going for 12 weeks per semester from 3 to 6 p.m. Costing $25K per school, the program can accommodate 40 kids per school.
While the shop filled with people and the doors never closed, Ball Chair Marlene Fogarty Sughrue reported that the November 1, 2013, Soccer Ball will take place at husband John’s FIG: Fashion Industry Gallery, with Bolsa providing the food. Last year they raised around $200K and will try to top that amount this year. Tickets start at $200 and include cocktails, auction and fun raising.
They got a good start, with Billy Reid donating 10% of sales during the evening and through the weekend to America Scores.
Toni Munoz-Hunt says
Jeanne,
Thank you for the kind words, and we cannot thank you enough for attending and highlighting such an important and necessary cause in the community. America SCORES Dallas brings hope and education together. We hope to see you in November.