Editorial: Marin students help to solve expensive prom-dress problem
It’s not that often we devote comment in this corner to the local high school prom season.
But a March 15 story by IJ reporter Keri Brenner inspires attention.
The story shined attention on the good works of local teens who have organized the collection and distribution of used prom dresses so that no one has to worry that they don’t have something memorably fancy for the event – intended to be a highlight of a high school career.
One example is a collection built by Redwood High School girls who have doubled their offering of prom dresses since last year. This year, they have about 500 dresses that they have made available at a prom boutique in space at The Village shopping center in Corte Madera.
Proms can be pricey affairs, in cases beyond the household budgets of some Marin households.
Some of the dresses have been worn once or twice. Others were donated by apparel companies that support the teens’ efforts.
“Prom can be a cost-prohibitive experience for many, and we want to make it accessible to all students,” said David Plescia, a leadership class teacher at Redwood.
About 50 students have signed up to work at the boutique.
The goal is to make it fun and rewarding for both those working at the boutique and those seeking clothing.
For the students organizing the collection, they are learning management skills, connecting with their peers across household incomes levels and making community connections.
It is also a step in narrowing an economic equity gap that exists in our county.
Pricey dresses that otherwise would be left hanging in the back of a closet can be brought out, donated, cleaned and handed out to bring joy to another teen.
Similar programs have been at work in other Marin high schools.
At Novato High School, they collected more than 200 dresses for their prom shop. They distributed nearly all of them.
Across town at San Marin High School, the student-led Recycled Closet has taken on collection and distributing dresses. This year, its collection of prom dresses is larger than ever.
Students at Tamalpais and Archie Williams high schools have also held prom shops.
These gestures of generosity, both donors and those who manage the collections, is an education is life skills that we would hope that teens understand before they graduate.
These boutiques are about teens helping other teens. It is also about respectful recycling, making a gently used dress available to another who might not otherwise be able to afford a fancy frock for the dance.
They make sure that not being able to afford a fancy dress is not an economic hurdle for their classmates.
That youth-driven initiative deserves space on this page.