Local Students Invited to Free Prom Dress Party in Portsmouth

Prom. It is the word that is on the tip of most girls’ tongues by the middle of winter. Who to go with, and more importantly, what to wear? The average expenses a girl pays for prom can be up to $1,000 dollars, but there are a lot of people that cannot afford that expense. There is a foundation called Becca’s Closet  that can provide a teen with a dazzling dress without spending a dime.

Becca’s Closet was started by sixteen year old Rebecca Kirtman, a high school student in Florida. She created this organization dedicated to providing formal dresses and accessories to high school girls who couldn’t afford to go to their own prom. Unfortunately, Becca died in a car accident in 2003. Her friends and family continued Becca’s Closet in her memory and the organization now has chapters all over the country, including one right here in Rhode Island.

incorporated this student-run organization , from a senior project, and continues to be the only chapter in Rhode Island affiliated with Becca’s Closet. Ayesha Patel and Britney Rothstein conducted the project in 2010 by asking for donations, working on public relations and even organizing a fashion show. Many local businesses contributed and students were even offered community service hours for dress donations. The first year was very successful and subsequently, has continued on and grown in size. The generosity of the donations is what makes Becca’s Closet so successful.

This year, the organization, led by senior Sarah Cordeiro, is holding a free “Prom Dress Party” at on East Main Road in Portsmouth. This event is open to all girls in the area wishing to find a free prom dress. The organization from Tiverton High School has collected over 500 prom dresses over the past year and teamed up with Revive Salon to create this amazing event. The salon volunteered to close for two days and open it up to Becca’s Closet. All stylists will be on the floor to help girls find dresses, pick accessories and provide them with tips on hair and makeup.

The organization from Tiverton High School would like to invite all girls from around Rhode Island to participate in this event on March 5 and 19 from 2:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. An appointment is necessary, but can be made for an individual or group, so please call and make one at (401) 683-0110. If you have any interest in donating dresses or accessories they can be dropped off at Revive Salon, or you can contact Cathy Winston at Tiverton High School.