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April 8, 2010

Wanted: Clothes to make a prom

By Cathy Spaulding

Teachers at two Muskogee schools are working to ensure all students can wear nice things at their proms — but they need help from the public.

Muskogee High School and the 7th and 8th Grade Center are seeking donations of gently used prom attire and accessories for boys and girls.

“We want to help kids who might not have things to wear,” said MHS family and consumer science teacher Karen Tillotson. “We don’t want anything like not having a prom dress hold anyone back from attending the prom.”



New tuxedoes could cost at least $69 and prom dresses could range from about $100 to nearly $500, according to Kathy Long, owner of Crowning Moments Formal Wear.



Tillotson and special education teacher Janet Stowers are organizing the MHS drive, which began March 29. The MHS prom will be April 17 at the high school. Shelly Beck, 7th and 8th Grade Center music teacher, is seeking donations of items students can wear at its prom May 7.

Tillotson and Stowers said they have collected about 15 garments each. MHS collected 20 prom items last year, Tillotson said.

Stowers said students already are expressing an interest in the garments, with short dresses especially popular.

The MHS wish list includes long and short prom dresses, shoes, evening bags and costume jewelry, plus men’s suits, tuxedos, shirts, ties and shoes.

Students needing prom wear may “shop” in Tillotson’s or Stowers’ classroom.

The garments are theirs to keep or donate back to the school.

At the 7th and 8th Grade Center, Beck said she is working with mothers of eighth-graders to solicit donations.

Beck said boys in the show choir have loaned dark pants and shoes to be worn at the prom.

Members of Muskogee’s Bedouin Shrine are helping students afford tickets, not only to this year’s eighth-grade prom, but when students attend their high school prom in a few years, Beck said.



To donate



• Muskogee High School: Bring items to Muskogee High School, 3200 E. Shawnee Bypass. Contact Jennifer Kilgore, 684-3750, ext. 1730.

• 7th and 8th Grade Center: Contact Shelly Beck, 684-3775.



Reach Cathy Spaulding at 918-684-2928 or Click Here to Send Email

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