By CHLOE GRUSING
Editorial Editor
A few weeks ago, on March 14 & 15, the Northwestern Social Work Department hosted the 10th annual Primp for Prom at Woodward High School.
Primp for Prom was a major success this year with more than three hundred dresses given to high school students from the surrounding areas. The event reached far this year with students from Kansas, Texas, and Oklahoma representing thirty different high schools attending.
Over five hundred dresses were donated to Primp for Prom this year, in assorted sizes, colors and styles.
Shoes of all sizes and jewelry were also received this year, starting the event off on the right foot.
Woodward High gym was filled to the brim with attire for the prom season, with almost every style of dress available for shoppers.
This event is meant to give high school girls the opportunity to receive a prom dress and shoes. The social work department takes donations throughout the year, from around the Northwest Oklahoma area, for the upcoming prom season. High school students are invited to try on dresses and shoes for their school prom. The dresses are given to the girls for free in a welcoming and safe environment.
Primp for Prom is a community outreach project designed to make high school students feel secure and comfortable trying on dresses. The volunteers and workers are proud to host the event and make an impact on a girl’s life. For some students, getting a prom dress can be a daunting task. No matter the way a student feels going in, Primp for Prom works to make everyone feel and look their best.
Chair of the Social Work Department Dr. Kylene Rehder organizes the event with the help of the social work department, Woodward High School and students and staff of Northwestern Oklahoma State University, along with members of the community in Woodward and surrounding areas. The community comes together to give high school students a memorable prom experience.
Krystan Pierce, a Northwestern social work major, volunteered at the Primp for Prom event this year. She stated her reasoning for participating,
“As a social work major, I voluntarily offer my time and services at Primp for Prom, where I aid young women in their search for the perfect prom dress that makes them feel confident and beautiful.”
Volunteers help and encourage the high school students to pick a dress that will make them feel confident and beautiful. The goal of the event is to provide an inclusive environment and connect with members of the community. Dr Rehder is quoted saying,
“Please understand this event is about more than dresses,” Rehder said. “We see it as a means to embody our university and professional commitment to serve. This community event provides financial support to families, builds a sense of community, celebrates inclusion, models service, and promotes positive self-images, confidence and empowerment to young people.”
To the community, Primp for Prom is an important way to support members during an important time in their lives. The importance of making each young woman feel stunning and accepted is significant. Prom is a crucial part of the high school experience, and no student should feel left out due to reasons they cannot control.
Another volunteer Erica Neuenschwander, early education major from Woodward, felt this was a great way to connect with people from her community. She describes her experience as a personal shopper for the girls,
“When girls came in looking for their dress I would try to find things they liked and hype up their confidence when they found something they wanted.”
Primp for Prom is designed to help create a positive self image and environment to make girls feel confident in their dress. The event strives to give assistance to the high school students when picking a gown from the moment they walk through the door. Helping boost the confidence and self image can make a world of difference when deciding on which dress best suits their taste.
Neuenschwander explains she wanted to help her community and she thought this would be an interesting and exciting way to connect with the Woodward community.
“I met people outside of my major that I otherwise would not have met.”
Not only does the event provide physical items to the community, but also a sense of belonging and togetherness. Bringing people together for a greater purpose can positively impact a student’s life and assist them through their high school experience. The purpose of Primp for Prom is greater than just providing a dress and shoes to a student, but also to offer support in a time when it is most needed.
The impact left by Primp for Prom this year is more than just the three hundred dresses given, but a lifelong memory that will stick with a high school student. The work put in by the organizers of the event does not go unnoticed, as they have made a sizable positive impact on the prom experience. Prom can seem unattainable for some people and the assistance provided by the volunteers and organizers is providing relief for the families involved.
An added benefit of the event is a one hundred dollar scholarship for anyone that shops at Primp for Prom. This is a wonderful bonus to the already helpful event. Northwestern Oklahoma State University strives to support the community and provide a positive experience for every student, incoming or current.
The event will be hosted again next year and is always accepting donations from the community. To donate or gather more information about next year’s event please contact Dr. Rehder at kdrehder@nwosu.edu.
