Over the years, the Bellarmine Mothers' Guild annual fashion show has grown into a major contributor to the school's scholarship program, allowing students to attend the private school with the help of financial aid.

"Bellarmine will not refuse an education to a deserving student," said Willow Glen resident and president of the Mothers' Guild Sue Tuttle. "This year we have 38 new students benefiting, and we're happy to have those kids."

The guild, first established in 1929, is a dedicated group that devotes many hours to the school in a variety of ways.

"Most teens like it when their parents take an interest in their school," said Tuttle. "They love to see their moms on campus, and I think it's important to them and it helps to keep us in the loop. You really know what's going on," said Tuttle, who has three sons, two still at the high school.

In addition to planning the annual fashion show, members of the guild work to create events throughout the school year that involve faculty, students and parents, including an annual mother and son Mass, faculty luncheon and a mother and son dance.

The Mothers' Guild prides itself on working to create a community of women. The guild recruits moms from all over the Bay Area so its board will reflect the demographics of the school itself, which draws students from San Francisco to Morgan Hill.

"We've learned that people love to be asked," said Tuttle. "Once they get that first invitation, they keep coming back."

The guild's upcoming annual fashion show is the only significant fundraiser from which all the proceeds go directly to students attending Bellarmine on full scholarships. All other guild-sponsored events aim to break even and simply provide support for faculty and students.

For Tuttle, being active within the guild and the high school have kept her close to her children and given her an interesting perspective. And she references a passage from the book Wonderful Ways to Love a Teen...Even When It Seems Impossible by author Judy Ford:

"Life with your teenager is full of surprises, full of absurdity, full of the ridiculous. If you are serious, you will miss it all. "

For more information about purchasing tickets for the evening fashion show on Nov. 7 at the San Jose Fairmont Hotel contact 408.294.9224 ext. 209. The luncheon fashion show is sold out.