TAHLEQUAH — Prom season is a time for high school students to find the perfect dresses or tuxes for the big night, and the Prom on a Penny project has just completed its 12th season of providing affordable formal wear.
The impetus for Prom on a Penny came from a former Northeastern State University student, Breah Boone, who wanted to use the Media Campaigns and Events class to help students save money on their prom clothes.
Dana Eversole, chair of the Department of Communication and Media Studies, said the event, which took place March 9, is coordinated by NSU’s Media Studies program during the spring semester.
“[There are] 13 people in the class. It’s a class called Media Campaigns and Events. It’s the capstone for the major,” Eversole said.
A high school student crying after finding the “perfect” dress was not an uncommon sight at Prom on a Penny this year. Breanna Hampton, of Hulbert, said she even had a young girl hug her after finding a dress that fit.
“I think it was definitely a worthwhile experience, just seeing the girls just find that perfect dress they normally wouldn’t be able to afford,” Faith Whitehouse said.
Katie Culberson, of Tulsa, donated her senior prom dress that she did not get to wear because of the COVID-19 pandemic. But the gown did find a new life at Prom on a Penny.
“I watched this one girl buy it, and I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh! I love that dress. I never got to wear it. I’m so glad you’re going to get to enjoy it,’” Culberson said.
This year’s campaign featured a different approach. Instead of having only two leaders, the class had three committees – outreach and donations, operation and logistics, and creativity and content – overseeing the operation. Eversole said she thought the 2024 event was one of the best, as the committees allowed everyone to have their fair share of work and acquire various skills.
Culberson said she learned several real-life skills that parallel with what she is learning during her internship with the Tahlequah Main Street Association with the Red Fern Festival.
“It was the same exact thing that we were doing here in class, so I think it gives you the same experience you would get out of the workforce,” Culberson said.
Clay Pendergraft, of Fort Gibson, came up with the idea to have each rack of dresses sponsored, with each costing $75 each or three for $175. Pendegraft said just attending the event made him realize the need young people have for expenses like formal wear.
“So [outreach] would go out and talk to businesses to sponsor a rack, or they could donate door prizes, and then we were the group that got an underwriter, which is basically somebody who funds the event,” Julia Childers, of Vinita, said.
Eversole said the students spent a lot of time sorting the formal wear into sizes and rying to iron out all the details before the big day.
Anna Fuhrmeister, of Tulsa, said seeing the group’s work come to fruition was rewarding.
Eversole said the students raised $1,200 and sold more than 100 dresses, but they had around 500 dresses available, costing anywhere from $15 to $5.
The funds garnered from Prom on a Penny were donated to the Tahlequah Public Schools program called Tigers Removing Obstacles and Achieving Results.
Even though Prom on a Penny has been around for many years, the event is always changing to better suit the community.
Dresses weren’t the only types of formal wear available. There were also suits, an aspect that has only been around for the past three years. Hampton said the group’s special media had a lot of engagement wondering about Prom on a Penny’s suits and plus-size dresses.
“I think that’s one thing we could [improve on]. For years to come, maybe something that we should push for more is suits,” Whitehouse said.
Spencer Mackhani, of Tulsa, said they had giveaways every 30 minutes, which included gift cards, and they had swag bags available for each purchase.
Eversole said Prom on a Penny-related events have been springing up all over the area because people are just seeing the need.
What’s next
Proms are set to take place April 20 at Keys, April 26 at Hulbert, and April 27 at Tahlequah. The group is now working on a future campaign project by hosting an intern fair April 11, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and a following panel of six NSU graduates from various professions, at the W. Roger Webb Educational Technology Center. Eversole said the event is being provided so students can get a look at different majors and career fields.
Skyler Hammons writes for the Tahlequah Daily Press.