Help Make Prom Dreams Come True

This year marks the third year of Prom Dreams, a project that involves local support in helping to send Enumclaw High School seniors to their prom on June 2.

Organizers work with representatives of the Enumclaw School District to identify students who would benefit most from the project. The girls who were interested in seeking help from Prom Dreams are then asked to fill out an application indicating basic needs as well as why they were looking for some help this year.

At some point before June, they are invited to try on and select a prom dress as well as all the accessories and hair and makeup that go along with the experience.

Local merchants help provide some of the essentials including the hair and makeup, while others provide drycleaning services free of charge ().

But a large part of that support also comes from residents like you. If you've got prom dresses, jewelry, shoes and accessories to donate, they will surely be put to good use. Organizer Judy Zumwalt said that all donations can be dropped off at at 1806 Cole Street in Enumclaw.

Monetary donations are also appreciated and can be made payable to the Enumclaw Rotary Club for PROM DREAMS.

Prom Dreams is also seeking volunteers. Please call Judy Zumwalt at 253-332-1504 for more information.

The project made several prom dreams come true last June, including that of Juanita Torres, who was accepted to Washington State University and planned to study veterinary medicine. But money was tight for her family then. "I got into college so we have to pay to reserve my place," she wrote in her application. "So the money I have saved has to go toward college and that would barely get me a dress."

Carrie Wagner said she appreciated how hard her mother works with two jobs to make ends meet and pay the bills. "We don't often have extra money," she wrote. "I want to participate because prom only happens once."

And Natasha Alexander wrote to the committee: "I didn't want to be a burden on my family since they are trying hard to get back everything we lost in our house fire last year."