Bentley’s Dresses to Dreams (D2D) student organization hosted their annual on campus event for almost one hundred and fifty high school girls from the Greater Boston Area on March 21, 2015. The event provides girls with the opportunity to choose from a selection of donated prom dresses for their upcoming formals. Additionally, attendees take part in various workshops ranging from prom hair and makeup tutorials, to discussions of inner beauty and life after high school. While the entire day is exciting for all involved, the most magical moments occur when the girls find their perfect dress. Participants begin by entering a “closet” that is set up in the University’s LaCava Conference Center. This “closet” is filled with hundreds of dresses in different styles and colors. Next, the girls have the opportunity to try on as many as they would like with the help of their school faculty, family, and friends. Throughout the day the girls also attend speaker sessions and hair and makeup tutorials that give the girls the confidence they need to have a fabulous prom experience. Two meals and many raffle items are also donated to the organization for the event. “Thanks to our many generous donors and the hard work of our Bentley students, we are able to provide not only prom dresses to our attendees, but also a full day of inspiring programs and fun for the girls,” says D2D co-coordinator Kyla Reslock.
The high school girls in attendance are not the only ones who are passionate about this event. The Dresses to Dreams executive board and committees, made up entirely of Bentley students, put in many hours of planning to make the event as special as they can for the girls. While all of the members play different roles, each of them can agree that this organization provides an incredibly rewarding experience. Freshman member Julianna Fonseca adds, "I decided to join this organization because I wanted to give back to the community in a unique way. I loved every aspect of prom when I was in high school and knowing that some girls can't experience it is upsetting. No girl should be denied the opportunity to experience a great night with their friends because of a financial situation. Seeing the girls come in and fall in love with a dress was so rewarding.”
This year’s workshops were put on by STEP director and program coordinator for Bentley’s Multicultural Center, Claudette Blot, and Director Susan Flint of R.A.W. Girl’s Group, a female empowerment organization based in Boston. Hair and makeup was provided by Toni & Guy of Braintree, Massachusetts.
Dresses to Dreams 2016 is scheduled for March 26th, 2016.