Bucks schools offer prom gowns to seniors who want to 'dress for less'
At Central Bucks High School South, they call it “Project Beautiful.” In Quakertown, it’s “Say Yes to a Prom Dress.” Bensalem, Pennsbury and other school districts have a “Cinderella’s Closet.”
Whatever the space is called where high schools collect gently worn gowns for students who don’t want to go broke to go to their prom, these makeshift salons are gaining in popularity.
How to score a prom dress for a pretty price
Even students who can afford the $500 to $1,000 that some new gowns are selling for are checking the school collections out.
“Oh my gosh, it’s our very own thrift shop in high school,” one student gushed at the selection that Elena DiPrinzio has collected for the Central Bucks School District. The CB South senior received many donations when she put out the word she was collecting gowns for her Girl Scout Gold Award project, to help students who might need financial support to go to their prom and to raise funds for the Doylestown Food Pantry. The most expensive gown sold for $20.
“We collected about 200 dresses. It’s been great,” she said. “We have made about $600.” Patients at her father’s Elite Chiropractic practice in Newtown helped get the donations.
Central Bucks High Schools South will hold its prom May 19 at Spring Mill Country Club in Northampton where CB West will hold it June 2. CB East will have its prom at The Fuge in Warminster, also on June 2.
What's the average cost?
At Pennsbury High School, Laura Tittle, assistant principal, estimates the average prom cost per student is $500 to $1,000 for attire, hairdos, makeup, nails, ticket, transportation, pre- or post-prom parties, with which the school has no involvement, and photography. This year’s Pennsbury prom at the high school is June 3. Tickets are $130.
Lucky finds at school sales
High school staffs who run the Cinderella Closets say there are more than prom gowns to be had. Other items sold or given away include:
Shoes
Purses
Costume jewelry
Wraps
Tuxedoes or suits
Dress shirts
Ties
Shop for discounted services
At Quakertown High’s gown sale, raffles were held for hair styling and nail polishing. These services can each start at around $30 without a tip. The prom is May 6 at Steel Stacks in Bethlehem, said student Julia Henry.
Bristol Township's Harry Truman High School will hold its prom this year on May 18 at Falls Manor. At its prom fair this week, in addition to gently used merchandise, it had new items provided by Nuuly and makeup bags from Estee Lauder.
The Pennsbury “Cinderella’s Closet” helps reduce prom costs but school district spokeswoman Jennifer Neill said the district also has a “Helping Hands” account and a “Neighbors in Need “program for students in financial need.
At New Hope-Solebury High School, "students who cannot afford prom are assisted with a discretionary fund established with private donations," said Stephanie Yoder, school district spokesperson. The school will have its prom at The Fuge in Warminster on June 2.
Bensalem High School gives prom gowns away to any student who asks for one. Some girls bring their mothers to look at the dresses. “We don’t turn anyone down,” said Assistant Principal Nicole Bourque.
The school estimates 500 of the 570 kids in the senior class will attend the April 21 event at The Merion in Cinnaminson, New Jersey. Tickets are $110 per person.
More: When Truman HS decided to forgo prom, this senior planned one. Then the community helped pay for it.
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This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: With gown costs high, Bucks County prom-goers find ways to save
