The American Girl Fashion Show presented by Special Olympics New Jersey at Forsgate Country Club on Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28, has Emily Carlson of West Windsor working behind-the-scenes as a junior committee member. Young girls, accompanied by an American Girl doll, will be modeling American Girl styles of yesterday and today. Carlson has helped organize and train the 35 American Girl ambassadors for the four fashion shows. The event is to raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics. One of the Mercer County ambassadors is Isabelle Engel of West Windsor.##M:[more]##
Emily, 14, is an eighth grade student at Grover Middle School, where she plays bass in the school orchestra and is active in the student council. A Girl Scout for nine years, she is a cadette in Girl Scout Troop 1836. She is also president of her 4-H Club, and plays WW-P recreation soccer and basketball. A lifelong resident of West Windsor, she lives with her parents, Linda and Rich, her brother Andrew, 10, a fourth grader at Millstone River School, and her sister Abby, 6, a first grade student at Dutch Neck School.
Andrew, who has Down Syndrome, participates in Special Olympics. “When Emily learned of the opportunity to participate in the American Girl Fashion Show, as a junior committee member, she thought it would be an interesting leadership opportunity, and well as an opportunity to help Special Olympics,” says her mother. “Emily knows the importance of Special Olympics in the lives of those with developmental disabilities.
For the past two years Emily has accompanied Andrew to the Special Olympics State games, and has had the opportunity to meet other Special Olympians of all ages. “She enjoys the pride the Olympians show as they tell about their medals and how they trained to participate in different events,” says Linda Carlson, a former sales rep for Eastman Kodak for 20 years. Her husband, Rich, is a regional technical manager for Eastman Kodak’s Entertainment Imaging Division.
“Andrew has had the opportunity to participate in soccer, track and field, and bowling.” says Linda Carlson. “This would not have been possible without Special Olympics. Emily is Andrew’s biggest fan!”
—Lynn Miller
American Girl Fashion Show, Special Olympics New Jersey, Forsgate Country Club, Monroe, 609-896-8000. www.sonj.org Young girls model American Girl styles of yesterday and today. Each model accompanied by an American Girl doll. $30 to $45. Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28, 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
