Twenty years ago, Miranda Schick found herself in a classroom at Centreville High School, where her students were expressing discontent. They were frustrated by the hefty costs associated with prom night, some revealing they were shelling out anywhere between $500 to $1,000. At the same time, they grumbled about mandatory community service, viewing it as a chore rather than a meaningful endeavor.
She suggested that community service could actually be enjoyable if approached with the right mindset and project. This conversation sparked the idea for the Prom Dress Shop at Fairfax County's Centreville High School.
Initially, the shop began with fewer than 100 dresses. Today, it boasts a collection of hundreds, offering students the opportunity to select a dress free of charge. The shop's growth has been phenomenal, attracting students not only from Virginia but also from neighboring D.C., Maryland, and West Virginia.
"We’ve received heartfelt emails from moms expressing gratitude for the chance to send their daughters to prom," Schick shared. "Many were worried they couldn’t afford it, but now they have this opportunity."
The operation of the Prom Dress Shop involves students from Centreville High and the Fair Oaks Classroom on the Mall program. They take charge of logistics, transforming a modular building on the school campus into a glamorous department store setting. Hallways are lined with mirrors and racks of dresses, while classrooms are converted into fitting rooms.
Setting up the shop every Friday afternoon is a 90-minute process, and by the time Sunday rolls around, everything needs to be packed up and returned to the main school building.
Schick emphasized that all the dresses are donated by department stores like Macy’s or community members. Short dresses are prominently displayed in the center, while long dresses are neatly sorted by size, color, and style on racks nearby. Additionally, generous community members have contributed jewelry and accessories like purses, bracelets, and necklaces.
Students can simply present their ID and choose a dress. The shop is managed by volunteers from the Alpha Delta Kappa teacher sorority to ensure customer privacy and a seamless experience for every visitor.
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Photo: Getty