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Finding a way to help others and give students a break from the stresses of law school, FIU Law’s Women’s Law Society (WLS) held its First Annual Mr. and Ms. FIU Law Competition and Fundraiser.

It was a “Miss America meets America’s Got Talent” kind of battle, which had students competing in a Fashion Round, Interview Round and Talent Competition. The contestants were vying for the coveted titles of: Mr. FIU Law, Ms. FIU Law, Mr. Congeniality, Ms. Congeniality and awards for Best Dressed, Best Orator, Most Talented and Rising 1L Star.

The music was pulsing and the energy electrifying as the contestants showcased their stuff! Sharing the spotlight, were the evening’s cohosts – Amber Kornreich, president of FIU Law’s Women’s Law Society and first-year and SBA Class Representative Robert Dominguez.

“It was not only a fun event that we all enjoyed, but it benefitted amazing causes. I was glad to be a part of it and look forward to contributing again next year,” Dominguez shared.

During the Fashion Round, contestants wore their sharpest business wear and strutted down the runway while their favorite songs played. For the Interview Round contestants answered questions like, “Which FIU law professor do you identify with most, and why?;” “Is the dress white and gold or blue and black?”; and “What does success mean to you?”

But, it was the third and final round – the talent competition – where contestants showed off their best hidden talents.

Some of that talent included soccer tricks by Mark Erdman, a salsa dance with Kirk Villalon and Alexis Gonzalez, a lip sync by the duo Rachel Gonzalez and Christavia Johnson and many others. When contestant Justin McNealy made his way to the stage in a blonde wig and sky-high heels, audience member Brianna Rosa erupted in applause. “It’s one thing when you see students walking the halls every day in their school clothes, but seeing Justin go all out was so over the top and fun you just had to give to him!” McNealy sang Ursula’s song from The Little Mermaid.

The standing ovation McNealy received sealed his win for the title of Mr. FIU Law. In addition to McNealy, Ms. FIU Law went to Alexis Gonzalez, and Roxy Narvaez and Mark Erdman were crowned Mr. and Ms. Congeniality. Other honorable mentions went to Best Orator Kirk Villalon, Mr. Best Dressed J.T. Dougherty, Ms. Best Dressed Alexis Hanson, Most Talented Rachel Gonzalez, Mr. Rising 1L Star Adam Abecassis, Ms. Rising 1L Star Christavia Johnson and Best Smile Nick Castillo.

Local Miami DJ and FIU undergraduate student George Andreas dropped beats and lit up the auditorium with bright lights.

But it wasn’t all just music and fun. The purpose of the evening was to help two organizations that are near and dear to the Women’s Law Society.

The event raised $500, which will be split between The Lodge Domestic Violence Shelter in Miami and Court Care, a child care center being built inside the new juvenile courthouse. Audience members also signed a large crown-shaped poster card with encouraging and uplifting messages that was delivered to the families living in The Lodge.

This is the second WLS event that helped to benefit The Lodge. In the fall, WLS invited counselors from the shelter to speak to students about how lawyers can best help victims. The group contributed $500 of baby supplies, women’s toiletries, and clothing to the shelter from the WLS Amazon Wishlist drive.

The new Court Care in the juvenile courthouse will be the fourth center of its kind. The purpose of Court Care is to provide a safe place where kids can play and be sheltered from the trauma of accompanying their parents to court. Court Care operates largely on individual donations and is supported by numerous local bar associations and law firms.

The buzz around campus is that the competition will become an annual event.

The event was planned by committee members: Maria Glinatsis, Farosha Andasheva, Helen Sayers, Isary Tamayo, Kharla Salazar, Patricia Jimenez, Kendra New, Elise Barimo, Marie Taylor, Kristen Farber, Grettel Zubair, Cassandra Milnes and Diane Alvarez.

PHOTO CAPTION: From left to right Ms. FIU Law Alexis Gonzalez and WLS President Amber Kornreich.