Girls Inc. location in North County was temporarily transformed into a one-stop shop for all things prom on Sunday. Dresses, accessories, shoes and makeup filled the gymnasium and the bustle of teen beauty angst as young ladies sifted through nearly 400 dresses that were a perfect for what is among the most precious of high school memories.
But the activity was far from the ordinary dress shopping escapade – most noticeably in the price tags that from hung from the gently worn inventory.
Formal gowns can easily retail for $300 or more under normal circumstances. But thanks to the vision of NV Showroom Boutique owner Nikole Shurn Perkins, worthy girls could enjoy the same style and selection for a mere fraction of that through the Fairy Glam Project Prom Expo.
None of them were priced higher than $30, but the sisterhood and fellowship among both the recipients and the organizers was priceless.
Girls – most of whom had never met before Sunday afternoon – were eager to give affirmation, compliments and even constructive criticism as they tried on gown after gown.
“Now I like that one,” a girl in a peach gown said as a girl wearing white emerged from the dressing area.
“You do girl,” she replied. “I liked the red.”
The experience was almost as exciting to witness as it must have been to participate.
“My purpose is to grant prom wishes one dress at a time,” Perkins said about the event, now in its 4th year. “Knowing that the girls are so grateful makes it that much better.”
Through a partnership with Girls Inc. and grassroots efforts from throughout the community, Perkins was able to aid 83 young ladies in having the prom of their dreams.
“I’m happy to have the opportunity because I was all over the place looking for a dress,” said Jonveette Palmer, a senior at Lift For Life Academy. “This is helping so many other girls, like me, who otherwise wouldn’t be able to come to prom. And it’s nice that they have all of the demonstrations and the raffles.”
The demonstrations included everything from makeup application, personal empowerment presentations and an illustration on how to build the perfect prom night ensemble.
“The best accessory you can have for prom is confidence,” said Rainie Howard of Sisters of Hope, an organization that strives to build self-esteem in young girls ages 5-18. ”Regardless of what your hair looks like, what your outfit looks like it doesn’t matter because that confidence speaks and defines who you are and your power as a woman.”
Fairy Glam Project participants were selected by Perkins based on an application in which they explained why they needed a prom miracle, what it would mean to them and what they planned to do after high school.
“The First year I did it, it was just me trying to help a couple of girls,” Perkins said. “When I partnered with Girls Inc., I was like ‘let’s do a prom expo,’ with speakers, presentations and everything – about prom and about life. If we could help one girl from making the wrong decision on prom night it would be worth it.”
Self-proclaimed “Fairy Glammother” Perkins’ prom miracle extended beyond the girls themselves.
“This was truly a relief,” said Palmer’s mother Rether Anderson. “She was looking online for dresses and everything was $150 – $200. I’m just so thankful for this program. For mothers like me – I’m a single mother on disability with two children graduating – it’s a blessing.”
Through Fairy Glam Expo Perkins felt like she was as much on the receiving end of her prom miracle as the young ladies she aided thank to the support of Girls, Inc., dozens of volunteers and Energizer employees– who donated nearly 150 dresses to Perkins’ worthy cause. And just as it did with her, Perkins hopes that the experience leaves a lasting impression on the recipients.
“By this experience I want them to know somebody cared,” Perkins said. “And not just from me – because I couldn’t have done it by myself. Through this event I want these young ladies to see that regardless of your situation, there is always hope and a helping hand – and as long as you do what you’re supposed to do, the goodness will follow.”
