FORT WASHINGTON, Md. — WEModel USA, in partnership with its nonprofit organization WEModel USA NWECare, Inc., proudly announces that eight models will travel to Italy to participate in Sicilia Fashion Week 2026. In addition to walking the runway, the models will serve as ambassadors for WEModel USA NWECare—representing a new generation of talent committed to fashion, leadership, service, youth protection, and global impact.
The delegation departs for Italy on August 19 and will spend time in Rome learning about the city’s history and culture while exploring responsible educational and fashion-industry opportunities. Sicilia Fashion Week runs August 20–23, with featured presentations on August 22 at 8:30 p.m. at Palazzo Ardizzone Gioeni in Catania and on August 23 at Arena Lido Naxos in Giardini Naxos, Messina.
A Global Fashion Destination. Sicilia International Fashion Week is produced by Tonino Galli, who is bringing 15 outstanding designers from around the world to Taormina, Sicily—one of the world’s most beautiful and celebrated destinations. The international showcase will unite global creativity, culture, and fashion against the extraordinary backdrop of Sicily.
From Passport to Discovery to the International Runway. WEModel USA extends its sincere appreciation to Barbizon Modeling and Acting for inviting Dr. Patricia A. Watts to its annual “Passport to Discovery,” a premier model-and-actor scouting event where hundreds of students present their talent, runway presence, and performance skills before agents and industry companies seeking new talent. Models Madalyn Rose Mika and Jaiden Nicole Summers were selected in early August to join this WEModel USA international expedition—advancing from talent discovery and development to a global runway experience in Italy.
Purpose in Rome: Youth-Centered Awareness Through Media
While in Rome, the models will perform their additional role as ambassadors for WEModel USA NWECare by using the city’s historic and cultural setting to create short reels, photographs, and youth-centered messages addressing the prevention of child trafficking and exploitation. Their content will encourage young audiences to recognize unsafe approaches, protect personal information, practice responsible online behavior, speak with a trusted adult, and understand that seeking help is a sign of strength.
All awareness content involving minors will be age-appropriate, prevention-focused, and produced with adult supervision. It will not use graphic imagery, reenact trafficking scenarios, reveal a minor’s real-time location, identify survivors, or place responsibility on children for crimes committed against them. The message will emphasize that informed families, responsible adults, schools, communities, and institutions share the duty to protect children.
More Than a Runway
For the WEModel USA delegation, this journey is more than an opportunity to walk an international runway. These models will also serve as ambassadors for WEModel USA NWECare, using their developing platforms to reach young audiences with messages of purpose, confidence, awareness, safety, and community responsibility. Their participation demonstrates that fashion can be a bridge to education, cultural exchange, leadership, and positive social impact.
“These models are not traveling simply to be seen or only to walk the runway—they are traveling with purpose. As ambassadors for WEModel USA NWECare, they will use their talent and voices to encourage their generation, raise awareness, and help create safer communities.”
— Dr. Patricia A. Watts, Founder and Owner, WEModel USA; Executive Director, WEModel USA NWECare, Inc.
WEModel USA and WEModel USA NWECare
WEModel USA is a mission-driven modeling, entertainment, media, and professional-development organization that identifies emerging talent and provides mentorship, training, exposure, and access to meaningful opportunities. Participants are encouraged to develop confidence, discipline, professionalism, cultural awareness, and leadership—not merely runway technique.
WEModel USA NWECare, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to human dignity, youth protection, women’s economic empowerment, and prevention-centered education addressing human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. Through education, awareness, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and community resilience, NWECare helps young people and families recognize risk, strengthen protective networks, and become informed advocates.
A Call for Civic and Educational Recognition
WEModel USA and WEModel USA NWECare respectfully invite the appropriate mayors, county executives, county commissioners, town officials, school administrators, educators, and community leaders to recognize these models. They will represent WEModel USA on the runway and serve as ambassadors for WEModel USA NWECare’s mission. They are also representing the United States, their schools, hometowns, families, and communities on an international stage.
Featured Sicilia Fashion Week Participants
The August 22 presentation is expected to include Antonio Pennisi, Rosa Donzuso, Federica Cappelletti, Manuela Melita, Daniela Formica, Iness Balanchi, Andre Soriano, Dr. Patricia Watts, Reggie Bell, Aldo Gattuso, Roberto Ruggeri, Salvatore Squatrito, Alessandro Palmiero, Sergio Bellipanni, Carmelo Spina, Orlando, Giovanna Cottone, Nunzio Brugaletta, Dean Gravina, Ayline Yssa, Angelo Pipitone, Ksenia Moiseeva, Peppe Siligato, and Antonella Pisciotta.
DAKARAI ANTONIEO CURRY | WEMODEL USA MODEL
| Education/Profession: University of South Carolina Beaufort Community: Bluffton/Beaufort County, South Carolina Life stage: College student / young adult Age: 20 Recognition officials: Mayor Larry Toomer, Town of Bluffton—recognized through Dakarai’s school community; his home address is in unincorporated Beaufort County and does not have a municipal mayor MODEL STATEMENT “At 20, I am stepping onto an international platform ready to learn, represent my community with discipline, and show other young men that fashion can be a path to confidence, professionalism, and purpose.” In addition to walking the runway, this model will serve as an ambassador for WEModel USA NWECare—using fashion, visibility, and youth-centered messaging to advance awareness, prevention, leadership, and purpose. |
MADALYN ROSE MIKA | WEMODEL USA MODEL
| Education/Profession: Delta College Community: Bay City, Michigan Life stage: College student / emerging young professional Age: 21 Recognition officials: Mayor Christopher Girard, City of Bay City MODEL STATEMENT “As a college student, I am proud to carry my education, creativity, and hometown spirit to Italy. I hope this experience encourages other students to pursue opportunities that broaden their world while remaining grounded in service and purpose.” In addition to walking the runway, this model will serve as an ambassador for WEModel USA NWECare—using fashion, visibility, and youth-centered messaging to advance awareness, prevention, leadership, and purpose. |
MALIA KARIN FORTMANN | WEMODEL USA MODEL
| Education/Profession: Dighton Middle School Community: Dighton, Massachusetts Life stage: Middle-school student / youth model Age: 13 Recognition officials: Local: Dighton Board of Selectmen—Mark Pacheco, Chair; Glen Cabbage, Clerk; Peter D. Caron, Member. Regional recognition: Mayor Michelle Wu, City of Boston MODEL STATEMENT “At 13, I am excited to learn about Italy, grow as a young model, and show other students that they can be confident, kind, creative, and brave enough to dream beyond their hometown.” In addition to walking the runway, this model will serve as an ambassador for WEModel USA NWECare—using fashion, visibility, and youth-centered messaging to advance awareness, prevention, leadership, and purpose. |
JASMINE EMILY HAGUE | WEMODEL USA MODEL
| Education/Profession: Acellus Academy online high school Community: Chattanooga, Tennessee Life stage: High-school student / teen model Age: 15 Recognition officials: Mayor Tim Kelly, City of Chattanooga MODEL STATEMENT “At 15, I want to use this opportunity to grow in confidence, learn from a new culture, and remind other teenagers that their talents can carry a positive message. Young people can help one another recognize unsafe situations, speak up, and choose purpose.” In addition to walking the runway, this model will serve as an ambassador for WEModel USA NWECare—using fashion, visibility, and youth-centered messaging to advance awareness, prevention, leadership, and purpose. |
ANNABELLA SOFIA STEININGER | WEMODEL USA MODEL
| Education/Profession: Walter Johnson High School Community: Bethesda/North Bethesda, Maryland Life stage: High-school student / teen model Age: 16 Recognition officials: Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich; County Councilmember Kate Stewart, District 4 MODEL STATEMENT “At 16, I am honored to represent my school and community in Italy. I want other young people to see that poise includes character, leadership means using your voice responsibly, and ambition can always be connected to purpose.” In addition to walking the runway, this model will serve as an ambassador for WEModel USA NWECare—using fashion, visibility, and youth-centered messaging to advance awareness, prevention, leadership, and purpose. |
AMAYA MICHELLE PEREZ | WEMODEL USA MODEL
| Education/Profession: Wellington Collegiate Academy Community: Loxahatchee, Palm Beach County, Florida Life stage: Student / youth model Age: 10 Recognition officials: Mayor Lisa El-Ramey, Town of Loxahatchee Groves; Palm Beach County Mayor Sara Baxter MODEL STATEMENT “At 10, I am proud to represent young people from Palm Beach County as I experience a new culture and grow as a model. I hope my journey inspires other students to believe in themselves, learn how to stay safe, and use their gifts to lift others.” In addition to walking the runway, this model will serve as an ambassador for WEModel USA NWECare—using fashion, visibility, and youth-centered messaging to advance awareness, prevention, leadership, and purpose. |
GUADALUPE ANEZ-JUSTINIANO (LUPITA ANEZ) | WEMODEL USA MODEL
| Education/Profession: Flight attendant and model Community: McLean, Fairfax County, Virginia Life stage: Adult professional / model Age: 48 Recognition officials: Jeffrey C. McKay, Chairman, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors MODEL STATEMENT “As an adult professional who works across cultures, I am honored to bring experience, elegance, and purpose to this international platform. I want younger models to see that lasting presence is built through preparation, resilience, service, and respect for others.” In addition to walking the runway, this model will serve as an ambassador for WEModel USA NWECare—using fashion, visibility, and youth-centered messaging to advance awareness, prevention, leadership, and purpose. |
JAIDEN NICOLE SUMMERS | WEMODEL USA MODEL
| Education/Profession: Olentangy Berlin High School Community: Lewis Center, Delaware County, Ohio Life stage: High-school student / teen model Age: 16 Recognition officials: Delaware County Commissioners Jeff Benton, Barb Lewis, and Gary Merrell MODEL STATEMENT “At 16, I am excited to travel to Italy, learn, grow, and represent my community with confidence. I want other teens to know that new places can expand your vision—and that your voice can help promote awareness, safety, and positive choices.” In addition to walking the runway, this model will serve as an ambassador for WEModel USA NWECare—using fashion, visibility, and youth-centered messaging to advance awareness, prevention, leadership, and purpose. |
Event Information
| Item | Details |
| WEModel USA departure | August 19, 2026 |
| Rome cultural experience | August 19, 2026 |
| Sicilia Fashion Week | August 20–23, 2026 |
| Catania presentation | August 22, 2026, 8:30 p.m. — Palazzo Ardizzone Gioeni |
| Giardini Naxos finale | August 23, 2026 — Arena Lido Naxos, Giardini Naxos (ME) |
Media Contact
Dr. Patricia A. Watts
Founder and Owner, WEModel USA
Executive Director, WEModel USA NWECare, Inc.
Telephone: (202) 631-7227
Email: info@wemodelusa.com
Website: www.wemodelusa.com
Instagram: @wemodelusa
