Going to prom isn’t cheap. Girls have to buy dresses, book hair and nail appointments, and maybe go out to dinner before, too. This is why one group at UL decided to step in for Northwest High School in Opelousas.
“This is the second year in a row that UL has reached out to us to do a prom dress giveaway. We were kind of randomly selected by a former student who thought there was a need here. Now, we’re giving girls a second opportunity to get a free prom dress,” says the assistant principal at Northwest High School, Markenia Jackson.
The university’s Office of Communications stocked the walls with more than 100 new or lightly used formal dresses, enough for each junior or senior girl to take one home.
This puts everyone on an equal playing field and puts the fun back into a situation that can become stressful.
“I think its great because it gives the girls an opportunity to hang out and show true sisterhood to each other, and they’re supporting each other and calling each other beautiful and pretty, and I really just love that. It’s been great,” says Jackson.
After all the excitement is over, these girls are so appreciative of the good deed, they’re already looking to pay it forward.
“Some of the girls here might want to come back and donate dresses for other girls. After they wear it, they can give it back for another girl to wear it,” says Richard.
