There was a slight change in plans for the reveal of the 2020 Children’s Cancer Fund Gala models. Stalwart supporters Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman were still on board. Jennifer Arthur was still at the helm of Children’s Cancer Fund. Children’s Health’s pediatric cancer research and treatments were still benefiting from the gala co-chaired by Jamie O’Banion and Holly Pellham Davis. Rhonda Sargent Chambers was still orchestrating the extravagance. And the 2020 class of munchkin models were once again vets in the war against pediatric cancer.
The change was in the announcement’s location. Instead of Children’s Medical Center, the announcement took place in NorthPark Center’s courtyard between Macy’s and Nordstrom.
And, oh, boy, what a change.
With Toni and Guy hair designers primping the kids for their presentation, loads of food provided by Seasons 52, a backdrop for family photos, tables for artistic outlets and KTVT-CH. 11 setting up a pop-up studio to interview kids and VIPs, this setup was gangbusters.
But there was still more that hadn’t been in the original game plan. True, this year’s theme was “Together We Shine,” but NorthPark First Lady Nancy Nasher had felt that the models’ favor bags needed something special to shine. So each child received $250 in NorthPark Gold. While the kiddos may not have totally fathomed the special treatment, their parents got the message big-time.
Longtime CCF Emcee Scott Murray told the audience of well-wishers and fans that maybe they would get NorthPark Gold-lucky next year.
But back to the models who would be on the runway with all types of celebs. They include Aaron Budhwani of Plano, Melissa Coronado of Arlington, Liam Duarte of Little Elm, Bianca Fullerton of Longview, Madilyn Hallford of Paris, Reagan Harris of Trophy Club, Drew Herrell of McKinney, Jawed Hussein of Irving, Shay Johnson of Italy, Ben Jones of Fate, Nora McDonald of Flower Mound, Will McKie of Flower Mound, Jacob Pletan of Whitesboro, Chelsey Reichenberger of Flower Mound, Maria Schwarz of Dallas, Campbell Sena of Frisco, Addie Leigh Spencer of Tyler, Dylan Stewart of Greenville, Christopher Villarreal of Kaufman and Grayson Prewett of Carrollton, who couldn’t make it.
As their names were announced and they took their places on stage, they received cellphone salutes from folks in the audience. And the salutes were well-deserved. But they had better get used to all this attention because on Friday, April 17, at the Hilton Anatole Hotel, arms will be raised and their walk will be shared with family, friends and supporters. Hopefully, funds also will be raised that will result in the end of pediatric cancer.