PHOTOS: Framingham High Hosts First-Ever Prom Shopping Event

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FRAMINGHAM – “That fits you perfectly,” said Framingham Public Schools Elementary Health Educator Michelle Kinsella to a Framingham High student who had on a sparkly navy blue gown. “It was made for you.”

The teen’s eyes lit up and she smiled.

There were lots of smiles yesterday inside the Framingham High School library as the first-ever “Prom Shoppe” was held afterschool.

For a couple of hours, Framingham High students shopped for gowns and tuxedos for free.

Kinsella helped to create the shop for scores of Framingham High students, who might have struggled to attend Cotillion and Prom this season.

According to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary And Secondary Education. 54.9% of the students at Framingham High are considered low-income. That means 55 out of every 100 students struggle financially.

There were more than 200 dresses for girls to choose from in a rainbow of colors.

In total, more than 100 dresses were given away and more than 40 tuxedos.

The goal of the event was to “increase access to the prom and cotillion experience” by offering free dresses for teens.

“I couldn’t have imagined that a chance-meeting in a local nutrition store would lead to such an incredible donation and partnership,” said Kinsella before the event. “I was in line at a local store and started chatting with the woman behind me. During my conversation with Major Kim DeLong of the Salvation Army I learned that they were looking for a partner to help distribute a large selection of formal dresses. Major DeLong has been instrumental in this effort and is ultimately providing students, not just with something to wear, but a feeling of pride and a memory that will stay with them forever.  I am overflowing with happiness that our students will benefit from this act of giving.”

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Macy’s donated more than 200 brand new dresses to the Salvation Army in Framingham. The dresses were both short ad long and in sizes from 0-24.

Typically, the junior and senior class has a Facebook page or social media page where the gowns are shared so the same dress in the same color does not make it its way to cotillion or senior prom.

But yesterday many of the girls were so happy to be getting a free dress, they didn’t care if someone else would be sparkling in the same gown that night.

“We asked if they wanted us to remove the other gowns when they chose their gown,” almost all said no, said one of the organizers.

Men’s Wearhouse had a table at the library for those who needed a tuxedo for the social events. Donations are being accepted to help fund tuxedos for those who can not afford them for Cotillion and Prom.

SKM Collection in Framingham donated earrings, and attendees could also pick out nail polish, purses, and shoes too.

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“Every year as prom approaches, we hear the buzz among students about shopping and prom dresses,” offered Cheryl Aglio-Girelli, Adolescent Health Nurse at Framingham High School. “Mynette Shifman and I are also acutely aware of the many barriers some students face to get to prom and have supported various efforts each year to try and reduce those barriers. In talking with our colleague Kate Fiore several years ago, we learned about her volunteer work with the Princess Boutique in Marlborough. In 2019 we secured funding for a bus and with Principal Carrie Banach, we brought our first group of students to the Princess Boutique. In 2020 we forged a relationship with Men’s Wearhouse, but unfortunately were unable to proceed with our effort due to the pandemic. Taking our past years’ experience and this year’s partnership, we are finally able to fulfill the dream that Carrie, Mynette, and I have had of creating an in-house event for our students. Prom can be such a rite of passage, we want to be sure everyone who wants to attend has the opportunity to attend.”

“That color is gorgeous on you,” said Kinsella.

“I love it” said the teen spinning on a platform looking in the mirror.

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