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Female students were caught by the news cameras making their selections from rolling racks of dresses and gowns and then trying them on-swishing voluminous skirts and twisting this way and that to find the "right one" for a big event.
The "boutique," which had been set up in a classroom, had temporary cubicles for the try ons, one posted with a sign that read "Reinvent that dress."
The formal dresses and gowns-gently used or, in some cases, unused-had been donated to the school so that they could be sold for a moderate fee.
"Offsetting the staggering costs" for prom-goers, particularly the girls, as Mr. Williams noted on the air.
Donna Luzi, an assistant principal at the high school, said the credit for the idea belongs to students at Hill & Plain Elementary School.
"We have a character education initiative that is part of the school district's five-year strategic plan, and every month we highlight a different character trait," she explained. "Hill &Plain suggested having a prom boutique, given these economic times. This would fall under 'compassion.'"
When she called the idea to the attention of the NMHS staff, three teachers-Tracy King-Johnson, Heather Sadler, and Rachel Smith-took charge of making the boutique happen recently, for a few hours after school let out.
"All I did was facilitate it," Mrs. Luzi said, noting that the "little boutique" had about 100 dresses, which had been donated by teachers, parents, some businesses in town and, notably, new gowns from Julie Allen Bridals in Newtown.
There were no special conditions set for "shopping" at the boutique, Mrs. Luzi said. "And it didn't matter what the girls needed a dress or gown for-for the prom, a wedding or another event. We were glad to do this-and I could have been knocked over when the TV show said it was coming here April 23."
