Kutztown Area High School senior Niki Nolte, 17, modeled as a Teen Cancer Warrior Model for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley Benefit Fashion Show in December.
Held at the Banana Factory in Bethlehem, a professional model was paired with a Teen Warrior Cancer Model, who were all teen cancer survivors from the Lehigh Valley. They modeled the latest fashions by Lehigh Valley fashion designer Lara Bly, who agreed to donate a portion of each sale to the Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley.
“We got the chance to model down the runway with some of Lara Bly’s models,” said Nolte. “It was so much fun. It was the time of my life. When I was a little girl, I’ve always dreamed of modeling and watching all of these models and seeing the magazines so getting the chance to actually do that and the Fashion Show being as real as it was, that was cool… It was pretty surreal. They had photographers. Chairs lined up. We had a runway. It was pretty legit.”
Nolte said she was nervous at first because she didn’t know what to expect.
“When I was on the runway, I felt so alive. It was so much fun as the music was playing and the photographers were taking pictures, I was having the time of my life.”
Prior to the Fashion Show, the Teen Cancer Warrior Models rehearsed with the fashion designer’s models, learning how to walk down the runway, where to look and what facial expressions to use.
“There’s so much more that goes into modeling than you would think,” said Nolte.
Five hours before the show, the models arrived for hair and makeup, rehearsal and sizing of outfits.
“I learned just to have a lot of fun and to be proud of who I am now. Without having hair, I can still be myself and be proud of what I look like and how I am,” said Nolte. “Really to just take advantage of the moment because without being diagnosed with cancer, I would not have had this opportunity. Yes, cancer was such a negative thing that happened to me and yes it was really hard but it’s presented so many positive opportunities that I’m forever thankful for. I’ve met so many great people. I’ve experienced so many amazing things.”
Nolte was diagnosed with Primary Mediastinal Large Mass B Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in April 2017. After 18 weeks of chemotherapy, Nolte learned she was cancer-free and in remission in August 2017. Nolte said her illness influenced her choices for her future. While always interested in the medical field, previously thinking physical therapy or dermatology, now she would like to focus on pediatrics and maybe even go into oncology. After graduation, Nolte plans to go to Penn State, swim on the Penn State Swim Team and study bio-behavioral health.
When asked how she exemplifies a Teen Cancer Warrior, Nolte said, “I think the girls that were there to model have been through so much more than what anyone should go through at this age. It’s really cool being able to get involved with them and relate with them, talk about each other’s experiences while also going through something new together and exciting and fun, to honor ourselves and to honor other children who are fighting and then also get to experience something that allows us to be teenagers again. It allows us to be able to have fun instead of spending weeks on end in the hospital. We’re actually out getting to model and show off what we are now as human beings than what we were before. I think we’ve all gone through so much that we’ve taught and learned so much more than we would have, especially at this age.”
Nolte has learned that life is too short and to appreciate everything.
“I think we definitely appreciated what that night was for us.”
Nolte talked about the media attention since being diagnosed with cancer, something she appreciates because it shows how many people support her and care about her. Thanking everyone, she said the support helped her cope with her illness.
“Everyone reading the articles and getting a chance to not only know me but also my journey through it all was really cool,” she said. “I hope people remember me for the person I am rather than the girl with cancer. I want to be remembered as Niki Nolte, the bubbly, positive person that’s involved with swimming, music and everything I’ve been in rather than just the girl with cancer. I want to make a positive impact on people’s lives. I hope I’ve done that.”
She hopes people look at life in a more positive light.
“That was the one thing that was hard for me, especially spending weeks in the hospital hooked up to machines. It’s really hard to stay positive but I did my best, just smiling and laughing, trying not to get stressed out about things. I hope people learn to appreciate life, appreciate every opportunity that’s given them because you never know what day may be your last. Hug your loved ones and friends whenever you see them. Just say thank you and I love you. Because life can end in the blink of an eye.”
