By KYLIE READING-GRIFFIS and ANNA RICKEY
As a junior at Hamilton Heights High School, Anna Rickey has set out to ensure every student at her school has a dream prom. Dresses and Dreams is a nonprofit organization founded by Rickey with the goal to provide prom dresses to any student in need at Hamilton Heights High School.
“Last year I saw a need when my mom helped two students buy prom dresses,” Rickey said. “I saw first-hand the smile on their faces when they found their dream dress.”
Dresses are housed in the Hamilton Heights Husky Fan Shop, on campus. Students can access the dresses from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 16 and 23 at the fan shop. Dresses are completely free. Students can also pick out free shoes, jewelry, and choose a time to have their hair and nails done by cosmetology students from the high school on prom day. All these services are free of charge.
“This is a good resource for students to share and benefit from each other,” Principal Jarrod Mason said.
Dresses and Dreams is accepting donations of dresses, shoes, and jewelry now until April 11 for this year’s prom. Dresses donated are inspected, dry-cleaned, and alterations are provided on a needs basis.
Donations can be dropped off at Hamilton Heights High School in the main office. Monetary donations are accepted. Checks can be made out to “Dresses and Dreams” and mailed to Hamilton Heights High School, 25802 State Road 19, Arcadia, IN 46030.