Prom Closet in Brunswick County Makes Dreams Come True

You’ve waited all year for the social event of your school career. It’s Prom time! One by one, you’ve ticked the items off your checklist: the right date, the right hair, the right shoes, and, of course, the right dress The pageantry of prom brings fairytale visions to life for one magical night, but for some, it can be stressful because they can’t afford the price tags that come with designer gowns, shoes, accessories, and other expenses.

Until now. One local teacher has figured out that going to the prom does not have to break the bank.

Prom Closet, coordinated by South Brunswick High School Math Teacher Cathy Johnson, provides free formalwear, shoes, and accessories to the young women in Brunswick County who might not otherwise be able afford to attend their eighth-grade formal or high school prom. Now in its fourth year, Prom Closet has made the dreams of over 300 girls come true.

This pop-up boutique happens every spring. This year’s event was held on Saturday, March 25th in the South Brunswick High School cafeteria and outfitted over 65 well-deserving beautiful young ladies in the area.

But it’s not just about the dress. Prom Closet provides a caring, nurturing, respectful experience.

“The Prom Closet gives girls a boost of self-esteem,” says Johnson. “Every girl dreams of being Cinderella at least once in their life. With this program, I can act as ‘fairy godmother’ and make their dream a reality.”

When Johnson first moved to the area eight years ago, she recognized the need to help less fortunate students in the community and their families have a positive prom experience. There was similar event in place, but the coordinator could longer manage it, so that’s when Johnson stepped in.

“Four years ago I went searching for the dresses and started Prom Closet at SBHS.” Her mission today is simple: to help relieve the financial burden from parents who want their daughters to feel special.

The dresses at the Prom Closet pop-up event are made possible through community donations like prom dresses, cocktail dresses, and even bridesmaid dresses. That means there is a lot of variety to suit any student’s style. In addition to public donations, Stephanie Ganser, a UNCW employee, collected over 60 dresses from UNCW students to add to the collection this year.

For additional information about the Prom Closet or to make a donation, contact Johnson at mcjohnson@bcswan.net.