A Price On Prom?
Video, pictures, flash and text by Roisin O’Connor-McGinn
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For many American teens, prom is one of the most important dates in the high school calendar. However, the excitement is often tainted by financial worries. With costs often running in excess of $1000, prom is a big deal in more ways than one.
While some girls are fortunate enough to be able to justify the splurge, there are just as many who don’t have the same resources.
That’s where Operation Fairy Dust comes in. Now in its 6th year, the program is designed to help High School seniors offset the cost of prom — and one of the most important elements of prom is, of course, the gown.
“[It’s] the last year that everyone will know you as that person, in your last dress,” said Saavedra Jantugh, 18, from The New School for Arts and Science, Bronx. “It’s a very big impression you got to make.” Saavedra chose a long black dress with a gem-encrusted neckline that she hoped to alternate to make shorter.
Not having the perfect dress often means opting out of prom.“Sometimes if you don’t have a dress you don’t even want to go to the prom,” said D’Asia Greathouse, 18, from Catherine McAuley High School in East Flatbush. “You know the other girls are going to be dressed really elegant and nice.”
Desha Hagler, 18, also a student at Catherine McAuley, said she had no idea what she would have done had she not been given the opportunity to shop for free at the give-away.
While some girls spend months shopping for the perfect Prom dress – Operation Fairydust girls will have about 60 minutes. Regardless of time or budget there is one thing that all girls are looking for in a prom dress – the X-factor.
Most were confident they’d recognize “the one” when they saw it.
“I was looking for a simple dress with a back that showed,” said Ismalis, 18, a student at Manhattan Occupational Training Center, who decided on a sleek red frock with thin straps. “I just wanted to look pretty.”
Expenses or just plain expensive? Click the Image to View a breakdown of prom costs
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Related Articles/Links Prom-dress giveaway a ball for Cinderella wanna-bes The $1,000 prom night: New Yorkers dropping average of $1K on big event |


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