I’m sitting at a table with Mary Risio and Pam Fothergill, P ’07, two women who were instrumental in bringing to life and continuing what has now become a 16-year tradition at Xaverian: the annual Fashion Show. What started as an idea from two dedicated Xaverian volunteers and parents - Judy Jenkins, P ’03 and Pat Gallahue, P ’10 - is now a beloved tradition, one Mary and Pam say was created specifically to build community. It seems rather fitting that the office we’re sitting in is located directly next door to where Mary sat 21 years ago as Xaverian’s Director of Development. She remembers clearly the day she first presented the idea to former head of school, Brother Daniel Skala, C.F.X. I walked into Brother Dan’s office one morning,” Mary says, “and I told him what these mothers would like,” she recalls. “I remember saying, ‘It’s a way to build community because there really isn’t any specific event just for moms.’” In true Brother Dan fashion, he responded, “Just don’t cost me any money.”

At the time, fashion show events were beginning to fall out of favor, and Brother Dan expressed some doubt about whether the idea would resonate with those in the community. Despite this, Mary moved forward, taking initial steps to make Judy and Pat’s idea a reality. “We organized a meeting in the cafeteria and were waiting for people to arrive. I was thinking, ‘Oh, please don’t let him be right.’” To Mary’s delight, that night Brother Dan ventured downstairs because of the noise. What he found was a cafeteria packed with women who were interested in volunteering and being models at the event.

“Despite my initial reluctance, the enthusiastic volunteers won my full support,” Brother Dan admits. “With Mary and Pam’s leadership, the Fashion Show provided not only a memorable networking social, but also significant funds for financial aid, which was an important goal for me.” A total of 348 people attended the first fashion show. “I think we netted $12,000,” says Mary, “and the next morning Brother Dan walked into my office and said, ‘Did you pick a date for next year?’”

Pam is quick to point out that the purpose of the fashion show was never to be a fundraiser. “It was always intended to be more of a friendraiser, but it did start bringing in money,” she explains. Pam is currently Xaverian’s Director of Data Management and Operations, though she began at Xaverian in the role of gift processor during her son Sean’s senior year in 2006. “Sean had such a good experience here and he received a scholarship to attend. I loved the idea of working in advancement because I could help other people to be able to afford to come here too,” she says.

 

“I met Mary the first day I started working here, and she’s been my mentor ever since. She’s the best person I’ve ever met,” Pam says. “Don’t believe her,” Mary says to me with a laugh. Their vibe is convivial, one born of years of hard work, long days, and a shared goal. “Mary’s the reason that I became involved in the fashion show,” Pam says. “I’d walk by her office on my way out each night and I’d offer to help. I loved working with her.” In 2013, Pam stepped into the role of fashion show coordinator. “Pam took over a basic [event] and blew it up,” Mary exclaims. “No,” Pam interjects, “By the time I got involved, there was such a great blueprint to follow. You know how at Xaverian we talk about the shoulders of the giants that we stand on? Mary is the giant on whose shoulders I stood.”

 

They are both quick to credit the generosity and talent of the volunteers in the Xaverian community that have allowed this event to flourish. “We couldn’t do this event without our volunteers,” Pam says. “Oh, absolutely,” Mary agrees. “Actually, there wouldn’t have been a fashion show if it wasn’t for Judy and Pat. I wouldn’t have thought of it.” Over the years, many volunteers have dedicated countless hours to putting this event together. Pam says this is a huge part of what the event has become: “It’s not just the day that everybody shows up,” she says, “it’s all the work we do together leading up to it that builds community too.”

 

The conversation turns back to Brother Dan and the gratitude Mary has that he believed in her. “I think a big part of the credit goes to the fact that Brother Dan had the wisdom to say, ‘Ok, we’ll try this.’ Because it was about building community, and he was all about building relationships.” Brother Dan wasn’t the only administrator who was supportive of the event. Mary and Pam both recollect a time when Brother Raymond Hoyt, C.F.X. ’70, Xaverian’s Assistant Principal for Academics, and Domenic Lalli, P ’98, Principal, were instrumental in getting students involved in walking the runway. “Brother Ray got on the PA and said something to the effect of, ‘Mr. Lalli and I are really kind of disappointed, we’re the only men who are going to be in this fashion show,’” Mary recalls. “The next thing we knew, there were boys putting their names in [to be models] and it was great.”

 

Underneath the hundreds of decisions and countless hours spent getting everything “just right,” is the true meaning behind the event: the fashion show brings together generations of women, of families, for a day of fun and human connection. After a quiet pause, Pam says, “This is the last event that I went to with my mom. It was the last thing she came to.” Pam’s mother passed away in 2017. She continues, “One of the things I realized, especially this year, is that this event holds the same meaning for others as well. People come with their mothers or with their family, it’s more than just walking the runway, it’s a special time together that you share with your loved ones.”

 

That is particularly felt during difficult years. “There are some years where there are losses, and some people who attended aren’t here anymore, and their family members have those memories of doing this together,” Pam says. This year in his opening prayer, Dr. Chris Vasta ’00 , Xaverian’s Chief Administrator for School Advancement, took a few minutes to honor Janice Fahy, P ’15, a beloved Xaverian alumni parent and volunteer who dedicated many years to the fashion show. Janice passed away just several weeks before this year’s event. “Janice exuded warmth and enthusiasm,” he began. “For many, she was the first face to greet them at the door during the Fashion Show. Her smile and demeanor set people at ease, and her presence was a blessing for all those around her.”

 

The Fashion Show has continued to evolve over the years as newcomers put their own touch on the event. This year is the first that Xaverian’s advancement team has a full-time event coordinator, Meghan Russell, P ’28. “It was time to pass this on to Meghan, and she’s incredible,” Pam says. “She did a phenomenal job, but she’s making it her own too.” They both acknowledge the importance of being flexible and adapting with the times. “You learn, and you improve,” Mary says. “Something good started in 2008. If it had been a failure, we wouldn’t be where we are in 2024, 16 years later, and I think it’s wonderful.”