Centennial Scholar Sania Musti ’27 Took On NYFW Using Her Enrichment Funds

This spring, Sania Musti took a leap of faith into the world of luxury fashion.

Interning for Communa-K, a New York City-based casting and production company, allowed her to experience her dreams of working in high fashion. Musti was given exclusive backstage access, assisted with fittings, worked with models and even helped coordinate a fashion show. 

She fulfilled her dream and created priceless connections thanks to her Murata of America Centennial Scholarship.

Made possible through the North Carolina Textile Foundation, the Centennial Scholarship Program provides students with up to $22,000 in scholarship funding each year, beginning their first year on campus. In turn, students like Musti are empowered to focus solely on their textile education, rather than having to juggle multiple part-time jobs to pay for tuition and educational fees. 

“Internships like this, as incredible as they are, are not usually paid, so these enrichment grants made a huge financial impact. Thank you to my donor, Mr. Butts, for helping me achieve my childhood dream.”

“Internships like this, as incredible as they are, are not usually paid, so these enrichment grants made a huge financial impact,” says Musti, a fashion and textile management student with a concentration in brand management and marketing. “Thank you to my donor, Mr. Butts, for helping me achieve my childhood dream.”

The support Centennial Scholars receive doesn’t stop at the financial resources used to support their tuition and fees. An additional $7,500 in enrichment funding is also provided to maximize their college experience. Students typically use these funds to study and intern abroad, participate in leadership programs and explore various career opportunities. 

Below, Musti shares more about her fulfilling enrichment experience, which included helping organize a luxury show during New York Fashion Week. 

Can you tell me about your time interning with the casting agency, Communa-K, during NYFW?

During this week-long internship in New York City, I assisted with castings and fittings for two fashion houses: Son Jung Wan and Bibhu Mohapatra. I gained experience with front-of-house and backstage organization by checking models in, organizing composite cards and helping with other casting needs.

What was the most meaningful part of your enrichment experience?

I loved watching the Son Jung Wan show on our last day. Being able to see the show live and witness how the creative vision was brought to life just a few feet away from me was incredible. Knowing that I was able to contribute to this show and help with the process that brought these pieces to the runway was an amazing feeling, and I hope to achieve this again. 

How will this experience contribute to your education and/or career growth?

From navigating the subway schedule to keeping track of multiple composite cards and models, I was challenged in a setting that demands adaptability and the ability to work under pressure. These are skills that I consider essential for working in the fashion and textile industry.

If you could say anything to the donor who made this experience possible, what would you say?

I want to express my sincere gratitude to the donor who made this experience possible. I know my childhood self, who would rummage through my mom’s closet and put on her own runway shows, would be so proud. While that was my first New York Fashion Week, I know it won’t be the last. Thank you so much!