For Valentine's Day"" Byron Kominek modeled a skirt to more than 200 people for money - but at least it was for a good cause.
The second-year master's student in the School of Public Health served as a model at the charity fashion show ""Fashion"" Show Your Love!"" hosted Thursday night by the student global health committee.
The show was an opportunity for students to model the clothing they have collected from their travels overseas.
""We never really have an occasion to wear them"" said Heather Bergmann, communications chairwoman of the SGHC and one of the organizers of the event. We think that people will be able to learn from the event.""
Kominek was one such model" wearing garb from an Ejagham village in southwest Cameroon where he served as a Peace Corps volunteer.
There he was crowned a chief of the Nkanda royal society for his service in the village" a lifelong commitment.
""Everything that you do in life is for the better of your people" he said. In the future" I'll hopefully go back. I'm sure they have land set aside for me somewhere.""
His skirt and hat symbolize membership in the royal society" and his cane and towel represent a high rank within the society.
The fashion show was paired with a silent auction that featured handmade jewelry massages restaurant gift certificates artwork and basketball tickets.
The event raised $2729 which will fund the Honduran Health Alliance" a program that promotes sustainable development in public health in Honduras with a focus on women's reproductive health.
The money will go toward women's health supplies for local health care providers in Honduras.
""We're always looking for great groups who do great work that don't necessarily get the fundraising benefits"" Bergmann said.
Lindsey Bach, a first-year student in the School of Nursing, donated $5 at the event.
I'm really interested in different birth control methods and development overseas"" she said. I'm glad to give to that.""
Elena Lebetkin" co-president of the SGHC and another organizer of the event said the group picked Valentine's Day as the event date to provide entertainment to those who did not have plans for the evening and for those looking for an alternative to the traditional dinner.
Models featured clothing from countries like India Ghana" Nigeria and Mexico.
""We have a pretty good spread from around the world"" Lebetkin said.
Veronica Sunderland, a second-year student in the School of Public Health from Puebla, Mexico, wore a vestido de china poblana" an outfit that was typically worn by women who made tortillas. It has evolved into a dress worn on national holidays in Mexico.
I think that the fund is for a really good cause" she said. We need the awareness of Honduras.""
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
