Theresa A. Mike Scholarship Fund Annual Fashion Show and Dinner
Spotlight 29 Casino
Saturday, April 25, 2009

Story by Lisa Robyn Lawrence
Photos by Allen Lawrence

To learn the story of Theresa A. Mike, click here.

“Under the Sea”

Saturday night at Spotlight 29 we all were invited “Under the Sea,” for the12th Annual Theresa A. Mike Scholarship Foundation Fashion Show, Sale and Dinner. The event was hosted and emceed by the very beautiful and talented, Pattie Daly Caruso of “Valley Views” with Pattie Daly Caruso, seen Saturdays 9:30 am and 5:30 pm on Channel MY 13.

As you entered the Spotlight show room the helpful staff of Spotlight 29 like Maria Quiroz and L’Nisha Wilson were there to greet you and offer you the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets.

The tables for vendors and the silent auction items were set up at the front as you entered the Showroom. Auction items included jewelry and watches from DeLuca Jewelers, iPod Family Pack, two beautiful guitars autographed by Don Felder (of the Eagles), a custom dress designed for you by none other than the most sought after designer today, Michael Costello Couture.

To name a few of the table top vendors of the night, Karen Billings, with the 1000 watt smile, from Neil’s of El Paseo, offered her elegant and irresistible items for sale, Elaine Davies and Angela Bachtel hosting the incredible Arbonne Cosmetics table, another “must have”  Del Sol of Palm Springs, a fashion show contributor was there with their line of photo sensitive T-shirts and totes with special graphics that change from black and white to color when exposed to sun.

Past the vendors tables the Spotlight show room was transformed with a runway stage and, elegantly white draped tables decorated with blue table toppers, fish-bowl centerpieces complete with colorful live Japanese beta fish and a  floating blue rose light surrounded by a flower base made of babies’ breath and fragrant white roses and lilies. Each white draped chair had a blue bow tied elegantly at the back. What a confection for the eye.

The show started with the beginning theme notes from “Jaws” the stage had five video screens showing sharks swimming, this was followed by the song Under The Sea, from the “Little Mermaid” movie, while playing a very touching tribute of the late, Theresa A. Mike, who tragically died at the tender age of 23. 

Our lovely host, Pattie Daly Caruso was overwhelmed with emotion and some tears following the tribute as she welcomed the night’s attendees. Pattie introduced Theresa A. Mike’s mother, Theresa Mike the founder of the Theresa A. Mike Scholarship Foundation. Theresa thanked all in attendance this evening. She announced that the foundation has already raised more than $50,000 before the night’s totals were added in. This was met with thunderous applause. This money goes to the scholarship endowment to aid selected students in attending the college or university of their choice. There are usually 25 to 30 scholarships awarded each year.

We were then delighted with the “Kids Dance,” choreographed by Tara Trafzer featuring Albert Martinez Jr., Karime Martinez, Leanna Mike, Danny Ochoa, Earl Thomas III, Jordan Thomas, Roman Delara, Jr., and Ashley Delara.

The singers of the night were, Lawrence Beamen, a contestant on the reality show, “America’s Got Talent” and young, big talent Olivia Montigny, who both got the audience going. A mesmerizing and beautifully choreographed dance was performed by our valley’s own stars, Tara Trafzer and Sean McKeever.

Manny the Movie Guy (KMIR TV6) called out the winning ticket numbers for the raffle items, there were shrieks and roars of delight as the winners were announced. 

Fashions from Diane’s Beachwear and Del Sol, both of Palm Springs, were modeled, followed by a runway display of fashions from Xpect of Palm Springs and Torrid of Palm Desert. The models were beautiful local children and adults.

Pattie Daly Caruso announced that the centerpieces were up for bid for $10, the winner would be determined by the person whose birthday is closest to that of Theresa Mike. Shrieks of delight could be heard when the birthday date was announced.
 
The fashion highlight of the evening was provided by one of today’s most sought out fashion designers, Michael Costello Couture whose designs have become much “in demand” in the Hollywood and music crowd. Costello offered his edgy and provocative fashions, modeled by his outstanding models. Quite an, “over the top,” show of high fashion and panache! He really brought “feminine, sexy.” to the runway.

Tables were filled with folks from throughout the valley. At one table the Rancho Mirage Women’s Club was represented by Fay McClung, Cathey Lilley, Kay Devine, Rita Wood and Margo Devlin. At another table we met the Cove Electric group of Palm Desert, Jamie & Barbara Thompson and April & Steve Tavares. At third table we spoke with a bevy of beauties, Randi Garcia, Rosy Garcia, Elyse Rodriguez, Maryjane Gonzales and Jackie Yanez. To quote the song Under the Sea these folks personified the words. “We got no troubles, Life is the bubbles, Under the sea.”

At the end of the evening, Dean Mike, former Chairman of the Twenty Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians and now interim General Manager of Spotlight 29 Casino, who is also the father of the late Theresa A. Mike, graciously greeted the audience. Dean Mike then thanked everyone from the audience, the major sponsors the Twenty Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, Spotlight 29 Casino, Pepsi Company and Lamar, the “new grandma, again,”and most gracious Host of the evening Pattie Daly Caruso, then acknowledgments for the fantastic casino and event staff, the best sound and stage crew directed by Bob and Caesar to Chef Victor Ortiz and the Fashion show committee and volunteers, as well as the community members and the children who were the models for the fashion show and a special thank you also to Michael Costello for his amazing fashion show and outstanding models.

Four of the recipients of the scholarships were in attendance this evening, Ciara Gross, Aaron Panther,  Veronica Ruiz and  Michell Brown (who is of the Navajo tribe) 

Dean Mike then asked his assistant, the lovely Angelina Mike, to assist him in announcing the winning ticket number for the grand prize, a 42 inch flat panel TV. There was a very lucky winner who was yelling and cheering.  They probably were even singing “Since life is sweet here, We got the beat here, Naturally!”

What a world class event for such a very worthy cause. Our heartfelt best wishes and congratulations to the Teresa A. Mike Scholarship Foundation for this successful event. Many thanks for the good they do for so many people throughout our country in facilitating their pursuit of higher education. Thank you to Spotlight 29, Pattie Daly Caruso and Twenty Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, sponsors Pepsi and Lamar and all the other sponsors and supporters for making this event such a beautiful gala.


For information about the Theresa A. Mike Scholarship Foundation and its scholorships, click here.

For more photos of the Theresa A. Mike Fashion Show and Dinner, click here.

For more event and the Dancers and Singers Photos, click here.

For more photos of Fashions from Diane’s Beachwear, Del Sol, Xpect  and Torrid, click here.

For more fabulous photos of Michael Costello’s Couture Fashions and Models, click here.    


For more information about the Theresa A. Mike Scholarship Foundation, click here.

For upcoming events at Spotlight 29 Casino, click here.

For more Pattie Daly Caruso’s “Valley Views”, click here.

For Michael Costello Couture, click here. 

For Manny the "Movie Guy", click here.  

For more information about the Twenty Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians, click here.