The event will begin with a small reception, allowing guests to mingle and browse the store鈥檚 fashions and accessories. At 7 p.m., the associate dean for undergraduate affairs and three faculty members will take to the 鈥榗atwalk鈥� and model Bella鈥檚 newest spring designs for college alumni, friends and fashion enthusiasts.

Store owner, Susan Johnson, is donating 10% of the store鈥檚 proceeds generated from the fashion show shopping event and select purchases made through Sunday, March 31 to the UCF College of Nursing student scholarship fund.

鈥淚鈥檓 honored to show my support again this year by hosting this fashion show event, while giving back to our community and future nurses,鈥� says Johnson. 鈥淢y mother is a retired nurse and I know the commitment it takes in today鈥檚 world to become such a highly skilled medical professional.鈥�

Katie Korkosz, director of development for the UCF College of Nursing, is very excited about this unique partnership the college has developed with Johnson and Bella Winter Park, and asks the Central Florida community to show its support again this year.

鈥淭he community will have four days to support this important fundraiser for our students,鈥� said Korkosz. 鈥淎nyone who makes a purchase at Bella Winter Park from the 27th through the 31st of March can request to have 10% of their purchase donated to the UCF College of Nursing student scholarship fund. It鈥檚 a win-win partnership 鈥� and a lot of fun!鈥�

Jean D鈥橫eza Leuner, dean of the UCF College of Nursing, says scholarships help the college recruit and retain the best and brightest students. 鈥淪cholarship support is a critical factor that helps our students focus on their studies and the demands of a rigorous nursing education, which is especially important in today鈥檚 complex health care environment.鈥�

Faculty model and associate professor Julee Waldrop says she was very nervous about modeling in the fashion show last year but with support and encouragement from her colleague Anne Norris, nursing professor and former teen runway model, she ended up having a great time. 鈥淚 rarely shop for clothes in person so having a group of people there for fashion advice was so much fun. I am excited to do it again this year.鈥�

In addition to Waldrop and Norris, Sigrid Ladores, a nursing instructor and Ph.D. candidate, will strut Bella鈥檚 catwalk again this year. Linda Hennig, associate dean for undergraduate affairs, will join them.

The fashion show shopping evening is an exclusive event open to college alumni, friends and fashion enthusiasts, but seating is limited and an RSVP is required. To register, e-mail nursingevents@ucf.edu or call 407-823-0671.

Bella Winter Park blends a pinch of Rodeo Drive, a dash of 5th and 43rd in New York, and a sprinkling of Old World charm for Winter Park鈥檚 most exclusive boutique. It all began with Johnson, and her passion for fashion that sent her in search of the country鈥檚 most fashion-forward designers, emerging trends and wardrobe must-haves. The result is delightfully packaged in Bella in beautiful downtown Winter Park. Bella is a smart collection of the country鈥檚 most noted and up-and-coming designers, housed in a welcoming boutique that pays homage to style at every turn.

Event location: Bella Winter Park, 329 N. Park Avenue, Suite 105, Winter Park, FL 32789

Photo: Models from last year’s event, (l to r) Anne Norris, Sigrid Ladores, Julee Waldrop, Heather Williams, and Bella Winter Park boutique owner Susan Johnson.

The show was March 15, and 10 percent of the proceeds from purchases made March 15-18 will benefit College of Nursing student scholarships in the 2012-2013 academic year. Every year students who are currently enrolled in one of the College of Nursing BSN, MSN, DNP, or Ph.D. programs are eligible to apply for scholarships.

In 2011-2012, about 35 different scholarships awarded approximately $65,000 to 47 nursing student recipients.

The Fashion Show Fundraiser featured four models: Sigrid Ladores, Anne Norris, Julee Waldrop, and Heather Williams, all of whom are faculty and staff members in the College of Nursing. Each model showed five looks, displaying to the audience the designers that Bella carries. Guests who attended the fashion show included friends and family members of the models and hosts, College of Nursing faculty and staff members, as well as other UCF constituents and community partners.

Bella Winter Park鈥檚 store owner, Susan Johnson, wanted to give back to her community by supporting the College of Nursing student scholarship fund, as well as hosting the event. Johnson said: 鈥淚 was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the College of Nursing. Dr. Leuner (dean of the college) is a shining example of true leadership in a university setting, by engaging the community and bringing awareness to the needs of the nursing students. My mother is a retired nurse and I know the commitment it takes in today鈥檚 world to become such a highly skilled medical professional.鈥�

Proceeds from the sales of the evening resulted in more than $600 benefiting College of Nursing student scholarships.聽 Dean聽Jean Leuner expressed her appreciation to Johnson and the staff at Bella Winter Park for hosting the fundraiser. Dr. Leuner is grateful to everyone for their support of UCF nursing students, who are the next generation of health care leaders.

Accepted nursing students can find a listing of scholarships by visiting the College of Nursing website at https://www.nursing.ucf.edu/students/undergraduate-students/college-scholarships/ .

For information on making a donation toward a student scholarship please contact Katie Korkosz at 407-823-1600.