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Tuesday, 03 March 2026
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Written by Anna White
A model steps into the spotlight and confidently walks the runway. This is their moment. Training, preparation, styling—classic fashion show precursors—but one thing is different. The models here are blind or visually impaired. This is the Vision Resource Center’s second annual fashion show for the blind and visually impaired. In a world often void of accommodations, Vision Resource Center is rolling out the red carpet to support independence and essential services for the visually impaired in Cumberland County. In the process, models find support and empowerment, blossoming to their greatest potential.
Vision Resource Center, which began in 1939 as the Cumberland County Association of the Blind, serves the special needs population of Cumberland County by providing a centralized place for education, vocational training, civic engagement, health programs, and recreational activities. They seek to address the social, economic, and vocational isolation that many visually impaired individuals face by offering accessible, comprehensive services in one place. They are one of the first four agencies of the United Way of Cumberland County and operate in conjunction with the Cumberland County Department of Social Services.
Last year, their inaugural fashion show, Blind to Boundaries: Eyes Closed, Style Open, was initiated by VRC member D. Wayne Gille, supported by volunteer Patty Nusbaum, Katherine Gill, and Shona Philips. The show sold out.
This year, a new theme is taking shape, inspired by springtime.
“After seeing the confidence and creativity that emerged during the 2025 debut, we felt drawn to a theme that celebrates personal growth, resilience, and the inner strength within our visually impaired community,” said Maureen Pacheco, community outreach and engagement specialist for Vision Resource Center. “The theme Full Bloom: Cultivating Confidence was inspired by the beginning of spring, a time when everything starts to open up, grow, and reveal new possibilities. That sense of renewal felt like the perfect reflection of what we want this show to represent.”
Pacheco says that behind the scenes, the concept developed through conversations exploring what confidence looks like for each individual.
“We were inspired by the life of a flower, from seed to bloom, and how that journey mirrors our own paths toward self-assurance,” she explained. “This imagery shaped our styling choices, visual design, and the atmosphere we set out to create. Our goal was for every model to feel supported and empowered to step into their own full bloom, much like the world coming alive at the start of spring.”
She shared two models’ stories that exemplify what this theme means on a personal level. Latasha Smith, who lost her sight nearly a decade ago due to a surgical complication, has chosen not to let the challenge define her. Instead, she has embraced joy, music, dance, and living fully.
“For Latasha, participating in the fashion show is a celebration of that resilience. When she steps onto the runway, she isn’t defined by her blindness. The event allows her to showcase her personality and strength, reminding herself and everyone watching that life doesn’t stop after loss,” shared Pacheco.
The second model, Tina Jacobs, is a proud Native American. She works as a childcare director, living with low vision due to diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
Pacheco explained, “Tina sees the show as a platform to share her journey, advocate for inclusion, and demonstrate that her abilities and leadership extend far beyond her visual impairment.”
The fashion show changes its participants in lasting ways. Pacheco says that last year, they saw powerful shifts in the way models carried themselves once they were styled, supported and guided onto the runway.
“Their posture changed, their presence strengthened, and the way they expressed themselves radiated a new sense of pride,” she said. “Even after the event, many shared how their self-esteem had grown and how empowering the experience was.”
In addition to the show’s impact on models, Pacheco says they learned a lot from the wider community’s response. The 2025 show was held in a small venue and Pacheco says the turnout exceeded all expectations, an outcome she calls “remarkable.” This year, they’ve expanded both their venue and volunteer team, making it possible to “welcome everyone who wants to enjoy the show with us,“ according to Pacheco.
When community members attend, Pacheco says they leave with a deeper appreciation for the talent, creativity and confidence within the visually impaired community.
“Many people may not realize the range of abilities our models have or the incredible things they are capable of. This show is a chance to see them not defined by their disability, but by their courage, self-expression, and artistry,” she explained. “We want attendees to understand that the visually impaired community is fully present, active, and part of the same community they live in. They are capable of wonderful and beautiful things, and this event is a celebration of that.”
Attend Full Bloom: Cultivating Confidence, Saturday, March 21, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at 614 Oakridge Ave. Tickets start at $26 and can be purchased online at visionresourcecentercc.org
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Tuesday, 03 March 2026
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Written by Dr. Shanessa Fenner
Ever since I was a little girl, I have always loved to read. Being an introvert makes it easy to become completely absorbed and joyfully immersed in the pages of a good book. My Saturday trips to Barnes & Noble reflect a deep personal appreciation for literacy, which is why I value Read Across America for its dedication to promoting the essential role of reading in our lives.
Read Across America was launched in 1997 by the National Education Association, and it was first celebrated in March 1998. The initiative was created to address concerns about declining reading engagement among children, promote literacy nationwide and to encourage families and communities to read with children.
For many years, the initiative was centered around Dr. Seuss’ books and characters. In recent years, the NEA expanded its focus beyond Dr. Seuss, and the program now promotes diverse authors, cultures, and inclusive books.
This year, Read Across America week is now, March 2 to March 6, and the theme is “Celebrating a Nation of Diverse Learners.” Schools and libraries will host themed reading days and events throughout this week. Cumberland County Schools will mark the week with a collaborative Read Across America and Social Emotional Learning Spirit Week celebration.
“We are really excited about this week, and the schools do a lot of the heavy lifting,” said Dr. Julia Pabst, K-5 ELA Curriculum Specialist for Cumberland County Schools. “Every school usually plans something from spirit days, mystery readers, having students sit and read with one another and really just enjoy and build that love of reading.”
She added, “We really want to empower schools to make that week their own and to celebrate reading in the way that their school culture already celebrates reading. This just makes it a lot more engaging for their students for the specific group of people that they serve.”
On Monday, the spotlight was on books featuring characters who face challenges and grow through adversity. Tuesday highlighted #OwnVoices titles, including memoirs and stories centered on identity.
Wednesday focuses on books that showcase acts of kindness, allyship and compassion. Thursday celebrates stories about young leaders, activists, inventors and changemakers. Friday wraps up the week with stories that emphasize friendship, teamwork and community.
Literacy is the foundation of formal education. It equips individuals with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that empower them to make informed decisions. Strong literacy skills are essential for personal growth and lifelong success.
“Literacy is a fundamental right, and it is one of the most important things that we can do for our children and our society,” said Pabst. “Reading not only helps us learn and grow, but it also helps us escape into different worlds and see things from different perspectives.”
Pabst added, “It gives us opportunities to come alongside people that we may not know their walk and see what it might be like to be like them or to experience things like them just through books. There’s so much that we can do because we read. It’s just one of those really exciting things.”
Learning starts at home, where parents serve as their child’s first and most important teacher. Children who grow up in literacy-rich homes recognize sounds and letters earlier, have larger vocabularies, develop better listening skills and understand how books work.
“One of the most important things that parents can do is just sit and read with their child, and it does not have to stop at reading; it can be just by sitting and having a conversation,” said Pabst.
“Not only is the literacy piece important, but listening comprehension and just sitting and having dialogue with one another builds vocabulary and builds all of those things that feed into that reading.”
Pabst added, “Just talking at the dinner table about their day using really high-level vocabulary with their children is a great way to help build great reading skills without ever picking up a book.”
A literacy-rich environment does not require expensive materials or elaborate resources. It can be created through simple, everyday activities that expose children to reading and language. This may include storytelling, singing songs, reading aloud each day, bedtime stories, access to books and magazines and more.
For parents looking to create a literacy-rich environment at home, Pabst offers a few helpful suggestions.
“Our public libraries are a great place to start,” said Pabst. “There is also the Dolly Parton Imagination Library from birth to age 5, and they will send books for free in both English and Spanish.”
She added, “There are so many online options of places to get books, so it doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby. You can always reach out to your child’s school to see if they have any books that they are discarding to help build that literacy-rich home environment.”
It is essential to ignite a love of reading in our future leaders.
“One of the biggest things is to find what they are interested in, what are students curious about and that is the jumping off point,” said Pabst. “So, if I am curious about a science concept like weather, or I really love my dog and I want to learn more about the breed, what is that interest and how can I bring in different types of genres?”
She added, “Let the child take their curiosity and build different ways to build that literacy because it is not just about picking up a book, it is about combining all of the different skills that we need, and that all starts with being curious.”
Pabst’s concluding reflections about literacy directed toward parents are both profound and insightful.
“I want to encourage parents that even if they are not readers, keep asking what makes me curious and find one article or book that brings that curiosity and answers just one question that they have,” said Pabst. “Reading is so much more than just sitting and trying to get through the words.”
For more information about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, visit www.https://imaginationlibrary.com.
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