Free of charge formal wear helps everybody get to the prom in style

PECI Guidance Department’s Matt Ronan held some necktie tying instruction and contests at PECI Friday in conjunction with the second annual Prom Project event at the school. Joining the friendly competition here were students Ben Wilson, Josh VanVlack and Brandon Markolefas.

Alicia Dayton, Tayler Bailey, Crystal Bulgajewski, Savannah Smith, Mariah Lammes and Bethany Stevens unpacking the displays of jewelry, clutch purses and neck ties.

The Prom Project returned to Prince Edward Collegiate Institute Friday – just in time for that evening’s semi-formal and June’s prom and graduation ceremonies for senior County elementary and secondary students.

The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation, the charitable arm of the Hastings Prince Edward District School Board, launched the project last year to assist elementary and secondary students with selecting formal wear, free of charge, for their special events.

The formal wear was donated by the community and local dry cleaners donated cleaning services.  New this year was a large donation of evening bags and ties provided by Quinte Mall. Glenda Tracey, from Shoppers Drug Mart Quinte Mall, was on hand to offer make up tips, and Marvin Chapman, of Flowers by Marvin, offered suggestions and provided corsages.

Loyalist intern Kayla Paradis and PECI student Shannon Langridge hang the suits donated to to this year’s Prom Project event.

Organizing and planning the event at PECI were Entrepreneurship students Savannah Smith, Bethany Stevens, Crystal Bulgajewski, Tayler Bailey and Alicia Dayton joined co-op students Mariah Lammes and Shannon Langridge, peer-tutor Brianna Logan and Loyalist intern Kayla Paradis.

“Prom Project also benefits Grade 8s as well, for their graduations, and the outfits can be reused for summer weddings or family events” says Dayton. “We invited all the Grade 8 students from local schools to come out. We’ve also been putting it on the announcements, telling friends and peeps through Facebook and Twitter and on the local radio stations through the school board.”

Prom Project Events continue throughout the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board:
Bayside S.S. – Tuesday, April 16 from 1:30 – 6:30 p.m.
North Hastings H.S. – Thursday, April 18 from 3:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Quinte S.S. – Thursday April 18 from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Moira S.S. – Tuesday, April 23 from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Trenton H.S. – Thursday, May 2 from 1:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Students show off some of the beautiful dresses they were unpacking for Friday’s Prom Project event. The clothing was donated by the community.