What the Prom Closet consists of is that we get donated dresses whether new or gently used, accessories, shoes so that our students who are planning to attend prom can borrow them and they don’t have to make that expense.
PHARR — For a single day, 17-year-old Celeste Lopez said she felt like royalty.
“Vanguard actually really helped me out because I had no style, no dresses and they even fitted me and everything,” Lopez said with a sigh of relief Thursday. “Because of them, it sounds cheesy, but I feel like a princess.”
The Pharr resident borrowed a black dress that she described as something that reminded her of the night sky, and she has a generous group of other teenagers to thank for that experience.
The cosmetology students at Vanguard Academy High School in Pharr have created the Prom Closet as part of an effort to outfit teens who may not be able to afford gowns or other dance attire.
The project was started last year by the previous senior class who wanted to help the students at their school. After conducting a survey about the expenses made throughout their senior year, they created the closet as a community service project that provides prom apparel for students who cannot afford dresses.
According to Eliza Villalobos, the cosmetology instructor at Vanguard, the goal is to help students save money.
“I think senior year is one of the most expensive ones. We kind of got an idea of how much they’ve already spent on graduation photos, class rings, caps and gowns, and all that stuff. We also asked if they were planning to attend prom, some said no and some actually said because they couldn’t afford it.” Villalobos said. “So we thought we should alleviate some of the expenses.”
Villalobos explained that although the prom closet was created last year it still remains a work in progress as the cosmetology students continue to promote and collect items.
“They’re the ones running it. They’re the ones reaching out to the sponsors, creating the flyers, collecting the dresses and organizing that stuff,” Villalobos said, adding that the project is a fully student-run operation.
Hermoza Quinceanera in San Juan donated dresses to the closet and Al’s Formal Wear contributed discount cards for tuxedos.
“What the Prom Closet consists of is that we get donated dresses whether new or gently used, accessories, shoes so that our students who are planning to attend prom can borrow them and they don’t have to make that expense,” Villalobos explained, adding that the students also offer hair and makeup service to their fellow students.
Although an idea that originated to help students at Vanguard Academy, the cosmetology department wanted to expand the services to their community.
In fact, 21 cosmetology students helped prepare contestants participating in a Pharr Housing Authority pageant held Thursday. They did their hair and makeup and had dresses available to contestants who needed them.
For Kessil Delgado, 18, a senior at Vanguard, starting a project like the Prom Closet doesn’t just give students the opportunity to afford going to prom, but to build confidence.
“It helps you not just for your image, but how you feel — self-esteem,” Delgado said. “To know you have something there and that people are always going to help.
Having the closet also provides the cosmetology students an opportunity to practice their work.
“Some of them had never worn makeup before so it was nice. They said they felt cute.” Delgado said, adding that each of the contestants she helped at the pageant had a positive response.
Titanic Aguilar, 18, also senior at Vanguard, said opportunities like working at the pageant helps them apply what they’ve learned in class and build a portfolio.
“It made me feel really professional because we got the chance to experience what it will be like in the real world,” Aguilar said.
To see more, view Monitor photojournalist Joel Martinez’s full photo gallery here:
Photo Gallery: Students start Prom Closet in Pharr to help teens afford dance attire
