Press Clips
DREAMS COME TRUE FOR 110 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
Fullerton, CA/April 2011—The
YWCA North Orange County, CA made 110 senior high school girls’ dreams
come true at our Fourth Annual Prom Project held April 9th.
The girls that participated came from families earning low incomes and
represented 20 high schools in North Orange County and as far away as
San Bernardino County.
Each girl received a personal shopper to help her select and try on new
or gently used gowns donated by high school graduates, the National
Charity League, and sororities from California State University
Fullerton, who remembered how special their prom was. Over 900 dresses
were donated ranging from rhinestones shimmering to satin drapes in all
shapes and sizes.
Our sponsors included the First United Methodist Church of Fullerton,
KiKi Designs, Bella Dia Salon & Day Spa, Salon Lujon, MakeUpYourMind,
Pacific Coast Medical, and the Soroptimist International of Fullerton.
Elizabeth Jones and Myisha Sewell, provided face, lip, and eye make-overs
while Sylvia Woodside, Leslie McCarthy and Martha Detor provided
tailoring skills that altered dresses for the perfect fit.
Personal shoppers from the National Charity League and Soroptimist
International of Fullerton helped each girl feel special. “Improving
each girl’s self-confidence and self-esteem was our goal,” stated Eunice
Chu, co-chair of the Prom Project. “I wanted a project to work on with
my daughter, Ashley. The YWCA made our dream come true. This project has
brought us closer together as we see the smiles and the differences that
the Prom Project has made in the lives of others,” stated Chu.
High school girls came alone, with mom or in giggling groups from as far
away as San Bernardino, lining up as early as 8: 00 am to get the first
pick off the racks. Each girl received dresses, and chose necklaces,
bracelets, tiaras, earrings and purses. The only requirement was to
demonstrate financial need but was on the honor system.
These days, a prom can be costly, with single tickets reaching $70 or
more. Prom dresses range from $200-$400 dollars. Add hair, nails, makeup
and dinner and the tab can be an additional several hundred dollars.
While some of that stuff is optional, every girl needs something to
wear.
“Every girl wants to look and feel
beautiful and confident on her prom night,” said Diane Masseth-Jones,
executive director, YWCA of North Orange County. “Our program
makes dreams come true.” For more information about the Prom Project
visit
www.promproject.org.
To donate a formal for our next Prom Project, contact Diane
Masseth-Jones at (714) 871-4488, ext. 200.
For the prom project pictures
please click
here. |
