Parkland High School students will be looking their best at prom this month thanks to support from their Student Leadership Council’s newly established prom closet.
The prom closet is a pop-up shop that students can visit on campus to pick out outfits for prom free of charge. The SLC organized the program with help from teachers, administrators, the school’s drama club, and the Mustang Alumni Association. Prom attire can be expensive enough to bar some students from participating in the milestone event, and organizers felt that the prom closet would be a great way to involve more people and build community spirit.
“A lot of the time, people think about Parkland in a negative light,” said Zaree Fulwood, a member of the SLC who oversaw the closet. “We have our problems, but we’re a great school, and we’re able to show it at times like this when we give back to our community.”
In just a few weeks, support for the closet has been overwhelming. Donations have totaled over 200 dresses, about 75 suits, and plenty of shoes and accessories. Some teachers are even offering to do hair and makeup for anyone who wants it. Importantly, many of the outfits have never been worn, and the closet has been set up like a real formalwear shop. The presentation lends a sense of prestige to the project, and it makes getting support in prom shopping fun for everyone.
“It looks like an actual store in here and everything looks new,” said Theatre Teacher Dr. Stacey Pelsinger. “Nobody feels embarrassed when they shop here. They’re all so excited. They’re blown away.”
Dance Teacher Ashley Smith says it’s inspiring to watch students take initiative and get projects like this off the ground. Not only are they making a tangible difference in their classmates’ experience at school, they’re also building a stronger sense of community at Parkland.
“Exciting things are happening at Parkland High School,” Smith said. “I am a very proud teacher.”
Donations are still pouring in, and Fulwood doesn’t expect the shop will get anywhere close to running out of inventory ahead of prom, so the program should be well set-up to continue next year. She hopes this will be a tradition for many years to come so that student leaders after her will get to share in the joy that comes with helping their peers.
“I’m a junior, so I want to do this again next year, but even when I’m gone, I hope they’ll keep this going,” Fulwood said. “Anyone can make a difference.”
