Prep for prom night with the help of Prom Showcase 2012
By Jennifer Kneuss
February 5, 2012
638
There is something wonderfully romantic and mysterious about Prom Night. For generations, high school-aged girls have planned and plotted for this yearly spring night event. Even before they know who their date may be, it is typical for girls to browse catalogs, visit formal wear stores, and dream of the perfect prom dress in just the right color and style. They try out hairstyles and makeup and look for great dancing shoes. Young men may agonize about asking that special girl to be their date, and then agree to wear sometimes unfamiliar and often uncomfortable attire, all in the hope of impressing her. There is talk of corsages and boutonnieres in the selected complementary shades of fragrant flowers.
All of this preparation can become quite expensive, particularly when consideration is given to the fact that the prom only lasts a few brief hours. Luckily, a local group has been helping to ease the financial costs of this special event. Safe Kids Tuscarawas is hosting their eighth annual Prom Showcase on Presidents Day, Feb. 20, from 4-7 p.m., and are inviting all high school teens, both male and female, to attend.
Prom Showcase is a great opportunity for teens to pick up all kinds of great tips for having a fun and safe prom night, said Deb Crank, a member of Safe Kids. At this free event, we have all kinds of demonstrations going on with everything from hair styles to nails, awesome looking purses to unique ideas for footwear. We even have advice on creating your own, customized jewelry.
Crank explained that although the event is totally free, everyone attending will come away with a wealth of information, as well as the opportunity to win many amazing door prizes. Free refreshments will also be provided.
We have booths that emphasize having a safe prom, including allowing those attending to view their face through a Derma-Scan machine, that shows the damages caused by the sun that needs to be taken into consideration when young people think that they need to get a tan before the big event. We also have demonstrations about impaired driving, and information about avoiding situations that could lead to unwanted consequences, added Crank, who is the health educator at the Tuscarawas County Health Department. The latest prom fashions for men and women and accessories will be on display as well, courtesy of local businesses, and a representative from The Bistro will be on hand to demonstrate restaurant dining etiquette.
In addition to many great door prizes, a highlight of Prom Showcase is the dress resale event. Each year, girls have the opportunity to sell their gently worn prom dresses during showcase hours, and again Feb. 22, from 4-6 p.m. Dresses can be dropped off at the event location, Dover Alliance Church, 228 East Third St. in Dover, on Friday, Feb. 17, from 4-6 and Saturday, the 18th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sellers pay a one-time flat fee of $5 for all dresses placed in the sale, and will receive 100 percent of the profits after that. Sellers may price their dresses themselves, and will need to provide the location and date at which the dress was last worn. Unsold dresses or money can be picked up Feb. 22, from 7-8 p.m. At a later date, Safe Kids will distribute any donated dresses to young women who cannot afford a dress for their prom.
We have dozens of gorgeous prom gowns that are available for a fraction of their original price, noted Barb Airgood of the Ohio State Extension office, which participates in Safe Kids. This means we are recycling and being sustainable while helping girls find the dress of their dreams. Its a win-win situation.
For more information about Prom Showcase 2012, contact Airgood at 330-339-2337.
