M-A’s Diamond and King Prom Closet event brought free prom clothes and accessories to the PAC Cafe last week. The Prom Closet opens leading up to M-A Prom on April 24, and aims to make the school dance more financially accessible for students.
Office Secretary Adrian Sledge started the event years ago when she advised the cosmetology club and also wanted to give back to the M-A community. “I remember I heard a student say, ‘I can’t afford a dress,’ so I thought, ‘Why not bring something here to our campus where all of our students can utilize the service?’” Sledge said.
Mannequins in the Prom Closet.
What started as a small service helping around 70 kids get their dream prom look turned into a schoolwide event with help from the M-A Parent Teacher Association and parent volunteers. Every year, the Prom Closet initiative collects donations from the community and local boutiques. This year, they received donations from Macy’s, Rin Bridal, Sephora, and community members, who provided clothing from brands like Hugo Boss, Lucy in the Sky, and Nordstrom.
In the week before opening the closet up to students, organizers put together racks of dresses and suits, and tables full of accessories. Beyond just clothing, the Prom Closet offers students the ability to curate their entire prom night look, offering ties, shoes, makeup, and jewelry. “The choices, they’re really amazing. You can come and there’s a lot of different sizes,” junior William Degner said.
“The day of prom, we would do hair, makeup, and a full glam effect for students. You could show us a picture, and we’d make that look,” Sledge said. In the past, the event even offered bus transportation so that all students could get to prom. “This is the impact. This is what we do here. This M-A magic must keep making it happen,” she said.
The Prom Closet’s effect on the community is palpable. “This is my second prom. I like coming here to look for dresses. I love that people can help us look for dresses for prom,” senior Tania Osorno said, referencing the parent volunteers who serve as students’ personal shoppers.
The event is centered around making sure everyone can go to prom feeling stylish and confident. “We really want to make prom accessible to all students, but we also want to create community,” parent organizer Stacy Bissell said. “It’s not for any one demographic. It’s really for every student to come in and pick out a piece of jewelry, or some makeup, or a suit or shoes.”
The event isn’t only open to upperclassmen going to prom. “Kids go like, ‘Oh, but I’m not a senior.’ I’m like, ‘Our seniors already went through our closet, they go the first couple of days. You guys could go in there and shop for Mother’s Day for your mom, or next year’s homecoming,’” Sledge said.
“I saw the dresses out there yesterday, and I thought they were gorgeous. So when I came here, and I saw the whole boutique, I really wanted to try something. And I’ve liked every single thing I’ve tried on. Everything here is so professional. It all looks really good,” freshman Elizabeth Strebulaev said.
“I really hope they continue doing this, because it’s really nice, especially since a lot of kids in East Palo Alto can’t really afford prom,” sophomore Regina Arias said.
