Used formal dresses, shoes and jewelry are getting a second chance to hit the dance floor this year thanks to Best Life Nutrition and Hahnville High School’s Recognize a Queen group.
The local business and student group are organizing a prom boutique to help students in need experience a fun and fashionable prom experience.
Donations can be dropped off at Hahnville High School Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Best Life Nutrition Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Marquita George, a mental health professional who works at HHS, said the idea to start the boutique came from knowing that over the last few years many local families have experienced financial hardships due to COVID and Hurricane Ida.
George started the Recognize a Queen group at HHS – a group comprised of minority females at the school.
“I started the group to give them a platform to come together and spread positivity,” George said. “It started as an online group.”
George said HHS’ Interact Club has done a similar prom outreach in the past, and that this is the first year that her group is facilitating the effort.
“Jody at Best Life reached out to us about the idea and I was excited about it,” George said. “I really allowed the girls in the group to plan it and they came up with an idea to become a boutique. It happened so fast.”
The prom help is being offered to HHS juniors and seniors. George said interested participants can contact her to fill out a form with their sizes, and then they can receive information about what is available in their size.
“We post all of the things that we receive and if any kids say they’re interested then at lunch time they can come in the boutique and shop,” George said. “We really want to set the stage for a full shopping experience. We are going to open up the store this week and have some music playing in there.”
George added that the Recognize a Queen members have loved organizing the effort.
“Donations are pouring in and we’re so excited to see where it goes,” she said. “People are also donating money so that we can buy things that aren’t donated and we can also take that money and get gift cards for stores and hair and makeup and things like that.”
In future years George hopes to expand the offering to include other dances like homecoming.
“I’m really hoping this is something we do every year,” she said. “I’m hoping this is a way we can tie the community and school together more. I think people really want to help but don’t know how, so if we can keep up things like this it’ll give a way for people to help.”
So far, she said the plan seems to be working.
“Right now in my trunk I have 30 dresses,” George said laughing.
For more information, contact George at mgeorge@stcharles.k12.la.us.
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