When senior Hayley Boyle began thinking about senior year, she was looking forward to the biggest event of the year, senior Prom. As she reflected on the expenses of prom, she realized that many girls may not be able to cover the costs. When it came time to pick the focus of her Senior Project, she knew she wanted to help girls feel fabulous at Prom without the lavish price tag.
“I read an article in a magazine last year about a website that collected dresses for [prom]. The idea never really left my mind and when it came time to choose a project, I went back to it. It seemed like something charitable that I could relate to and enjoy helping with,” Boyle said.
Boyle has been working with a program called Cinderella’s Closet through the Aberdeen Lions Lioness Club which set up its own local chapter for the charity.
“[Cinderella’s Closet] is an organization that provides formal wear for girls that cannot afford it on their own. The idea originated at a church in Kentucky in 2006 and has since grown all over the country. There are now chapters all over, not necessarily affiliated with the original, to provide dresses,” Boyle said.
This year, there were three dress giveaways. The Aberdeen Lions Lioness Club contacted local churches or halls to host the events for girls to come and choose a prom dress. They also advertised throughout the local community to spread the word and make the project possible.
The giveaways were open to all high school girls attending a formal dance or prom, and there were no financial criteria to qualify for receiving a dress because “prom is an expensive event for anyone at any school,” Boyle said. “I know how much I am looking forward to prom, and I would love to give another girl the opportunity to feel the same way.”
Boyle was able to collect over 40 dresses from JC to donate to Cinderella’s Closet. “Along with collecting, I have participated in every giveaway event this season. I know it can be difficult for people to part with dresses that remind them of a good time in their life, but I appreciate all of the people that took the time to go through their closets and bring in some dresses,” Boyle said.
March 20 was the last giveaway of the season at Churchville Recreation Complex, so dress collection for this year has ended. However, the Aberdeen Lions Lioness Club has made Cinderella’s Closet into an annual event, so donations are always welcome and can be stored until next year’s giveaways. If students still would like to donate to the charity, they can wait until next year or contact Sandy Pierce at 443-876-4472 or Barbara Mortus at 410-272-2655 to donate dresses now.
Boyle is not afraid to aim high with the goals of her Senior Project. “By doing this project I hope to make a difference in someone’s life. Self esteem is a big issue in our country today, and if I can make someone feel confident about themselves I will be successful. No girl should have to miss their prom,” Boyle said.
Stephanie Meadowcroft is a Lifestyles Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.