The mission statement for Central High School states that it seeks “to enable students to develop skills and attitudes to become productive citizens. To achieve this goal, we will provide relevant instruction. …”

While the school’s 19th annual Prom Preview and Spring Fashion Show on Feb. 26 looked nothing like a traditional classroom setting and did not feature any kind of traditional teacher lectures, it certainly afforded some relevant instruction to students who were paying attention.

The event, designed to raise money for Central’s prom on April 22 and after prom, included students — past, present and current — and a corps of community supporters modeling a diversity of clothing.

It was the source of much of the clothing that made the event such an important learning opportunity.

Among the stores represented in the show were Dillard’s, of Short Pump, David’s Bridal, Peebles, fa’brik’s, of Carytown, Hibbett Sports, of South Hill, and LuLaRoe.

Students not only received a front-row seat to witness the innovative way these stores were marketing themselves — through a high school fashion show — but those who modeled the clothing also became active marketers themselves.

Such an arrangement stokes the fire of creative thought for students who will join the business world one day and will need to be able to hatch outside-the-box ideas to succeed in a competitive environment.

What added the greatest educational value to the Feb. 26 event was the fact that store representatives like Kristin Peebles and Kathryn Whitehurst were on hand.

This gave interested students a great opportunity to pose questions to business people with experience and answers by bringing them to the school.

It also provided students with two up-close examples of what Chargers are capable of — both ladies were former Central students.

Titus Mohler is the sports editor for The Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch. His email address is Titus.Mohler@KVDispatch.com.