Twenty-two girls from the Shenango Valley will have a chance to play dress up in front of thousands of people.

The American Girl Fashion Show and Luncheon is a fund-raiser to benefit the aquatics program at the Shenango Valley YMCA, Hermitage. The girls participating in the fashion show are all involved with the Y.

The girls dress like and model the fashions of the American Girl dolls, who represent different periods of fashion in American history. The dolls are manufactured by Pleasant Co., which is sponsoring the fashion show.

Michelle O'Malley, Hermitage, who is co-chairing the fund-raiser, said Pleasant Co. promotes a wholesome product which the committee thought went along with the values of the YMCA.

Co-chairwoman Lynette Hartenstein, Hermitage, said the YMCA had to apply to Pleasant Co. and was chosen to be benefit from the fund-raiser. The YMCA had to meet certain criteria, prove it was a nonprofit agency and prove that the money is going to be used to support kids' programs, she said.

The company sent a script for the show, music and the costumes, Mrs. O'Malley said. "It's (the show) educational, historical, fun and interactive," she said.

The girls, who range in age from 4 to 12, are excited about the show.

"I think it's really great to be here," said Shannon Gramley, 8, of Sharon. She said she is modeling two Angelina Ballerina costumes and has two American Girl dolls of her own at home.

Nine-year-old Dana Cerroni of Sharon said though she doesn't own any American Girl dolls she's excited to be in the show.

"I think it's good because you get to dress up like all of the American Girls and walk on stage," Dana said, adding she's a little nervous.

Shannon said she's been on stage before, but Dana was quick to point out, "This is a big crowd."

At a recent practice the girls all chatted about the big event and discussed staying overnight in a hotel because the show is at Chadwick's Meeting and Banquet Facilities in Wexford.

Shannon's sister, Devin, 4, will be dressed as a Bitty Baby. She clutched her dolls tightly and said that seeing all of the dolls is the best part of being in the show. "I always dress my American Girl dolls in Bitty Baby clothes," she said.

"I was happy," Hannah Sizer, 10, Sharon, said of when she learned she would be in the show. "I've always wanted to be in a fashion show." She said she likes carrying the dolls the best.

Madisen Richards, 11, of Hermitage said she doesn't know if she'll be nervous when she has to walk down the runway. "It's cool," she said of the overall experience so far.

The girls not only model the clothes but perform dance routines and sing.

Hickory High School students Brooke Pyle and Taylor Nassar are narrating.

The group is hoping the show will raise $15,000, Mrs. Hartenstein said.

Rich Moeller, director of the Shenango Valley YMCA, said the proceeds will go to expand and sustain the aquatics program. He said the Y doesn't want any child turned away because a family can't afford to participate.

"We're blessed to have these parents working so hard," he said. "These ladies are doing a great job."

Pleasant Co. sent 19,000 invitations to customers in the greater Pittsburgh area, Mrs. O'Malley said. She said the YMCA pays the rental fee for the center and things like postage, but everything else is profit.

Jerry Stigliano's BookSource, Hermitage, is going to have a display at the show and part of the proceeds will also benefit the YMCA.

The show is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26 and 27. Tickets are $25 and include the fashion show and lunch. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets may call (724) 981-6950 or get a registration form online at: www.infonline.net.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at kgarrett@sharonherald.com