Family Resource Centers, Cosmetology Students Help SPS Students Get Prom-Ready

Prom is one of the highlights of the high school community experience, and this year a dedicated group of SPS staff and students extended that community throughout the District by ensuring that no student would be left out or feel they looked less than their best due to the cost of formalwear or salon services.

Family Resource Educational Assistants (FREAs) brought the boutique to students with free pop-up thrift shops, while Gateways High School (GHS) Cosmetology Academy students volunteered their time to provide hair, nail and makeup services. 

Formalwear was provided by donations from students and families, with a statewide boost. Eugene School District 4J staff drove dresses from the Abby’s Closet Portland event to Eugene, where SPS’ share were picked up and distributed to SPS high school Family Resource Centers. 

Thurston High School FREA Heather Curtis transformed a corner of the THS Family Resource Center into a quiet spot where students looking for a dress could slip in whenever they had a free moment, to be doted on and reminded just how special they are. A private dressing room, full length mirror, and messages of encouragement and affirmation written by Abby’s Closet staff transported students away from the commotion of high school.

Curtis described the glow that comes from within when a student sees themselves in formalwear they had thought was out of reach.

“What this kind of thing does for self esteem, just somebody taking the time with them and saying, ‘Look in the mirror right here, it looks so nice’ and, you should see their faces. It’s so beautiful. There was one student, I had never seen them smile, ever. And I thought, ‘How is this going to work?’ They ended up finding a dress, and it was awesome. Mom started crying, and you couldn’t take the smile off that student’s face. It was one of the best things ever.” 

On the day of prom, Gateways High School Cosmetology Academy students volunteered their hair styling, barbering, nail design and makeup services to students that would otherwise find a salon appointment financially out of reach. 

Gateways High School Cosmetology Academy junior Kara Woodward practices prom styling.

Curtis supports students through their salon experience, coordinating appointments, sending reminders and being a familiar face in the salon with snacks on prom day.

“It’s an opportunity to do stuff you never would be able to do, right? You can’t afford to go get your nails done, your makeup done, and then just the difference in them, it’s a beautiful thing,” said Curtis.

The salon experience benefits both groups of students equally. The cosmetology students get experience providing special event services, and end the day with a glow of their own that comes from doing good for their community.

“Being able to give [these services] out, it’s like, an honor,” said Azayla Braden, GHS Cosmetology Academy nail design student. “And then, with the people getting them, it also makes them feel honored that they’re able to get the services that they want, even if they can’t afford it, but the fact that they are thought of enough to get the opportunity, it’s a nice feeling for me and them.”

“I'm just really happy that we're able to do this and able to provide for people my age who are maybe going through a difficult time and who can't afford to get their hair done,“ said Kara Woodward, GHS Cosmetology Academy hair design student. “And I'm really happy that Shirley and the district and everyone was able to put it together, and we can help different schools.”

Cosmetology teacher Shirley Arnett sees the prom services as a way to strengthen the connections between high school students community-wide.

“We originally started doing the day of beauty for our students here at Gateways High School and wanted to expand it into our community, because our [cosmetology] students all come from Springfield High School and Thurston High School and throughout the community. So we thought it would just be a great way to connect everyone and give back.”

Arnett says she views the efforts to help all students feel their best for prom as part of the bigger picture.

“I just think that if we all gave a little bit, I think if we all opened up our hearts to our community, it would be a much greater place, because I see the benefit to my students of giving back to the community, and then I also see the students that we are giving to, what it does for them.”

To donate to future prom pop-up thrift shops, contact a high school Family Resource Center. 

Learn more about the Gateways High School Cosmetology Academy CTE Pathway and the Cosmetology Academy salon, open to the public, on the Brattain Campus website.

Pictured at top: Formalwear hangs in the Thurston High School Family Resource Center Prom Boutique.