Dress: $300. New shoes: $50. Jewelry and accessories: $35.
Being able to purchase all of the above with a $20 bill and still have money left for breakfast the next morning: Priceless.
It’s no secret that when prom time comes rolling around, parents all over Bellwood are first seeing the smiles on their daughters’ faces after they were asked to the special dance by the captain of the chess team. But soon after, they’re seeing all the dollar signs associated with preparing for the “big day.”
“Prom time is so expensive for kids,” said Sue Estep, guidance counselor at B-A. “A group of dedicated teachers here saw everything the Bellwood-Antis School District Foundation was doing for our students and decided we wanted to do something for them.”
On March 19 and 20 from 3-6 p.m., the doors of the high school conference room will be open and The B-A Boutique will be in full swing, offering beautiful prom gowns and accessories to B-A girls for a measly $10 bill.
The proceeds will be donated to the BASDF, an organization dedicated to providing money for students in need to help with the purchase of senior pictures, yearbooks, graduation announcements, etc.
“We’ll have gowns, shoes and jewelry,” said Estep. “Just about everything a girl needs to get a start at prom time, but at a great price. We understand the high costs of these dresses and shoes and those sorts of things, that’s why they felt this was a needed program.”
The items sold at the “Boutique” are donations. Estep said numerous items have already been donated, but she says more are needed.
Anyone who may have a gown, shoes or accessory jewelry that’s not going to be used anymore, is asked to contact the high school guidance office or drop the items off at the school anytime between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Questions should be directed to the organizers of the program, all high/middle school teachers: Paula Carlson, Judy Dorezas and Christine Claar.
“This is the first year in doing this so we’re still learning,” said Estep. “Hopefully, this program can expand into the surrounding areas as well.”
