Gilmer County’s Kiwanis Club has successfully hosted their first ever “Project Prom” to help provide local students access to formal attire ahead of the big night.
They partnered with the University of Georgia Extension Office and Gilmer County Family Connection Commission to make the service project happen.
The Bobcat Boutique opened up to students inside the Larry Walker Education Center on Monday, March 31, and Tuesday, April 1, after school. Those that weren’t able to make it in the afternoon will be able to take a shuttle to it tomorrow morning, April 3, at 7:30 a.m.
There’s no April Fool’s prank here, Gilmer High students were able to “shop” for all things prom, at no cost, at the boutique set up inside Family Connection’s office.
“We recognize that in this county, and just in general, things are expensive and we wanted to make prom, which is supposed to be a fun milestone, be less stressful on the families and prom goers by offering something that, to be fair, can easily be reused and enjoyed for years to come,” Nancy Adams, the UGA Extension Coordinator and one of the organizers of project prom, said.
Through February, the UGA Extension Office accepted donations of gently-used formal attire. Thanks to the community, students could pick from more than 200 prom dresses of all sizes, more than 50 men’s jackets, tuxes, shirts, slacks, ties, dress shoes, heels, jewelry, purses and even makeup, Adams noted.
“The community has really supported this, and the word got out with the kids and I think they’re excited,” she said. On Monday, 24 students were able to find something they loved from the boutique.
One of those students is Joshua Ayers, who’s on the Junior Prom Court this year. He picked out a suit jacket and turquoise tie and was accompanied by his teacher, Beth Smith.
Ayers expressed his excitement for his first prom and said, “We’ll have fun. Everyone else can dance. I don’t dance because I never learned how, so I’m probably going to be there for the food, enjoy the party and hear the music.”
Prom night is right around the corner on April 19. This year’s theme is Masquerade.