Prom is the biggest night of the year for many high school students. But, in the planning stage, money is often the elephant in the room. Everyone wants the perfect outfit, yet finances can make that feel impossible. That is why one teacher has come up with a brilliant initiative to ensure no one at her school misses out on their dream dress or terrific tux.
Plenty of us have a special-occasion outfit gathering dust in the cupboard. But few of us have ever thought of donating them to a local school to ensure the next generation look their absolute best. After all, high school students deserve to enjoy their magical night without financial hardship preventing them from attending.
Freshered spoke to Chloe Lambert, Head of Geography at Bungay High School in Suffolk, about her initial idea and how it continues to grow.
How did you come up with the initiative?
‘I came up with the idea after hearing worried parents in a coffee shop discussing how they would struggle to afford a prom dress along with the rising cost of energy bills, general living expenses and fuel. I then thought about the number of people who are still struggling after the impacts of COVID, many parents were furloughed and some may have lost their jobs as a result.
It occurred to me that so many people probably have an old bridesmaid/occasion dress at the back of their wardrobe that has been worn once and is now gathering dust and taking up space. They could be put to much better use and donate it to these children to wear at prom.
So many pupils see prom as a celebration of their high school years; a chance to have a send-off with their classmates and start a new chapter in their life. ‘Prom poverty’ shouldn’t stop students from experiencing this and having this opportunity.’
How did you get started?
‘I put a post of social media which has been shared across Beccles and Bungay (North Suffolk) and so many people have been in contact offering to donate dresses. Many have been bring them into the school reception. Myself and other staff members have also been collecting dresses from the local community which have kindly been donated.
My plan is to collect dresses in a variety of sizes and styles, as well as suits. Students have then been invited to three evenings where they are able to try on the dresses after school and select the one they would want to rent.
They will then pay £15, £10 of which will be a refundable deposit and will be returned to them when they return the dress after prom to me. The remaining £5 will be put to professional dry cleaning so they can be used for the next year’s cohort.
I hope this scheme can be used for many years to support students and families struggling with the cost of prom.
The students got a letter about it this week and they seem excited!’
A plan with national scope
While Ms Lambert is focusing on her school for now, this initiative could work just about anywhere. The speed with which people have come forward to donate shows that it is a great idea and that there are plenty of prom clothes out there ready for a second night in the spotlight.
‘If all goes well, I hope to branch out and offer this service to other local schools,’ Ms Lambert said. ‘But I’m not sure if this will be this year or if I will do it next year instead.’
If people want to get involved they can send donations to Bungay High School, Queens Road, Bungay, Suffolk, NR35 1RW.