'Project Prom Dress' begun
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on February 18, 2007 2:04 AM
Prom season is fast approaching, which translates to a flurry of activity as girls select just the right outfit for the big occasion.
For many, though, the cost-prohibitive burden of buying that one special dress can be overwhelming.
Last year, Rosewood High School senior Jamie Mills had an idea to ease some of that stress. She organized "Project Prom Dress," collecting more than 200 dresses, as well as shoes and other accessories.
The project was a major success. Varying sizes, styles and colors were displayed at the school and students from around the county responded and outfitted themselves for a fraction of the price.
Ms. Mills, now a college student at N.C. State University, is again helping with the collection and distribution drive, along with Rosewood senior Jackie Edmundson.
"Every girl dreams of her high school prom, and every girl dreams of being the princess and getting dressed up. But dresses are very expensive and we want everybody to be able to go and not be left out because they can't afford a dress to go to the prom," Ms. Mills said.
The project allows students to borrow the dresses for free. There are only two requirements -- items be brought back after the prom is over and they be returned in good condition.
Items are currently being collected and jugs for monetary donations have also been placed throughout the community.
Ms. Mills said in addition to the dresses received last year, a number have since been donated. In order to ensure the project's continued success, though, she encouraged anyone with special occasion wear to consider dropping it off at Rosewood during school hours.
"We also distributed information to all the high schools in the county and neighboring counties," she said, thus expanding the coverage area for the project.
Two shopping dates have been scheduled at the high school. Both are on Saturdays, March 3 and April 21, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Students are invited to browse and try on outfits.
More information about Project Prom Dress can be found on the school's Website, www.rosewoodhigh.com.