Ross Park Mall Anniversary Sparks Modeling Memories for Mom, Daughter
When she was a toddler, Valerie Sarel modeled for a catalog for JC Penney, one of the mall’s original flagship stores.
Ross Park Mall's 25th anniversary brings back memories for Penny Kane of Wexford. Her daughter Valerie, now 27 and living in Shaler, modeled for a catalog for JC Penney, one of the mall’s original flagship stores, when she was just a toddler. The half-page ad in 1987 featured the little girl with waist-length auburn hair and green eyes sitting in a floral print dress. By age 3, Valerie was building a portfolio with modeling gigs for Kaufmann’s, Murphy Mart and other local stores arranged through Donna Belajac, an up-and-coming talent scout. Had Valerie’s family not moved to Florida for her father Jim’s Home Depot career, her foray into modeling would have flourished, said Penny Kane, who was prompted by the mall’s silver anniversary …
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