As the first day of autumn arrives, so does the much anticipated high school tradition of homecoming. Homecoming is such an exciting time for many high school students as they experience pep rallies, float building, parades, football games, and of course the big dance. This is a chance for students to get dressed up in their formal attire and have some fun. This can also be a time when the expense of getting ready for the dance can become too costly for some families, preventing some students from attending because they are unable to afford dresses or suits.
Recently, the Port Huron campus of Ross Medical Education Center sponsored a dress drive during which they collected formal and semi-formal dresses, shoes, and accessories. The items that were collected were donated to Port Huron Northern, a local high school, to provide young ladies, who otherwise may not be able to afford it, a beautiful homecoming dress.
Nicole Semrow, Financial Aid Student Support Representative at the Port Huron campus, had originally suggested this special cause as a campus initiative. She shared, “this removes a huge worry for some students and their families and allows the girls to relax and enjoy their high school homecoming experience.” Office Assistant Laura Jerlecki donated dresses that her daughter once wore when she was in high school. “Looking through the dresses brings back so many happy memories,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to pass them on to another girl getting ready for the dance!”
The feedback from students, staff, and faculty at the Port Huron campus regarding the dress drive was very positive. Students enjoyed watching the collection of gowns grow on a daily basis, commenting that the display sparked their own memories of high school dances as well.
It was the hope of the Ross Port Huron campus that they would be turning dresses into dreams for some very deserving young ladies, and that’s exactly what they did!