Cass High student Samantha Plott models a prom dress at the school’s previous prom expo. This month Cass is offering teens the opportunity to participate in a community prom dress swap.
SKIP BUTLER/The Daily Tribune News, File
Angie Weeks, administrative assistant at CHS, said because area high schools and middle schools are gearing up to hold prom and spring formals, it was important to give the community an opportunity to reach out to students during tough economic times and help remove some of the stress already associated with school dances.
She said although the $1 entrance fee and $10 seller fee for the swap will go toward the CHS prom, the intent is to bring together all schools and interested sellers during a special time in students' lives.
"We would really like the whole community to be involved, whether they want to come in and try to sell, or if they want to shop. They're all welcome," Weeks said.
She said dresses at the swap will likely range from $75 to $200, versus new dresses that can cost $500.
"I think we're here to educate our children and at the same time help them when we can," Weeks said. "I don't think it just has to be in a classroom."
JoAnne Buffington is a parent and teacher at CHS who has donated a dress to the swap. She said it was important for people to either donate or sell dresses at the swap because of the amount of money parents put into dresses that often never see another school dance.
"These dresses just cost parents an awful lot of money and most of the daughters only wear that dress one time," Buffington said. "I just feel for the amount of money that is put into those dresses that so many other people could benefit from [the dresses] and not have to pay the original price."
The swap will be held Tuesday, March 22, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the school's media center. It is a cash-only event.