It’s time for the biggest dance party of the year–prom! When high school students create elaborate “promposals.” When guys look for the latest designs in tuxes and girls the most fashionable dresses. Over the years, however, Apollo High School and Tech High School have seen a decline in prom attendance. School administrators say that part of the reason is the expense of prom, so student councils at both Apollo and Tech have aimed to change that trend with Prom Expos.
“The Prom Expo originally started as a boutique idea,” explains Shannon Backlund, Tech Student Council advisor. “I’m actually from Northern Wisconsin and the school that I went to, the students would sell things … a few of the girls would bring in their [prom] dresses. The school would sell the dresses and keep a portion of the profits of the dresses. Then it was jewelry. … shoes. … everything. Slowly it helped to fund schoolwide events.”
The event in Backlund’s hometown grew from 20 dresses to 200 dresses annually being sold. She thought the idea may take off in St. Cloud, too, especially with the realization that prom attendance had been declining and the belief that prom expense was a major factor.
When Backlund took over as the advisor for Student Council at Tech three years ago, she shared her idea with the students. They loved it!
Student Council began to ask alumni to donate or consign dresses for the cause and dresses started arriving at Tech. Unfortunately, COVID put a damper on the dress drive for two years.
“At that time, dresses were offered at low prices if they were on consignment,” says Backlund. “And if they were donated, we were able to work with them [students] or donate them [to students].”
During COVID, Jen Noble, District 742 community education supervisor and Tech parent, got involved. She wanted to ensure the success of the expos and contacted Macy’s department store to see if they could assist. The management staff was happy to aid the cause.
“We are so grateful to have partnered with Macy’s St. Cloud for their generous donation last year of prom dresses,” says Noble. “Macy’s plays a key role in our business community and their support of our schools is greatly appreciated. They contributed … dresses and additional articles of clothing that make this special occasion even more memorable for students who attend prom. The local management staff shows just how much they care about making a difference in the community they serve.”
Backlund was awestruck.
“Jen Noble reached out with a Macy’s donation to the district,” shares Backlund. “Macy’s donated 300 dresses. It’s a variety of styles and sizes.”
Overwhelmed by the generosity, Backlund worried how they could get notice to students that Prom Expos were available to them. Student Council members took to social media and word spread quickly.
Girls at both high schools began donating dresses. Seniors traded in their old dresses from their junior year for new ones. The whole idea to “pay it forward” began.
This year, the combined donations from Apollo and Tech students, along with alumni and Macy’s dresses, made the Prom Expo bigger and better.
In addition to the dresses, the Prom Expo now offers cosmetics, shoes, jewelry, some tuxes and coupons as well.
“It’s something that we want to keep going,” says Backlund, “[and] we’d like to do it earlier in the year.”
The plan for next year is to involve the fashion design classes for any tailoring that would need to be done. Student Council also wants to engage more students in the event.
The Prom Expos are open to all District 742 students. Student Councils at Apollo and Tech are excited to see the turnout for prom this year and going forward. They feel prom is an experience every student should be entitled to during their high school years.
The last Prom Expo for District 742 students this year is April 30 from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tech High School.
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