Providence, R.I.--Thanks to the efforts of Lauren Podgorski '12, her mother, Cheryle '79, and a group of Lauren's former high school classmates, more than 400 Connecticut girls will be able to attend their high school proms at an affordable price.

This year, Podgorski enlisted five of her friends at PC to help her collect and distribute dresses through Princess & the Prom. The organization is dedicated to providing free prom dresses to high school girls unable to afford them on their own.

Joining Podgorski from PC were Taylor Farnam '12 of Troy, N.Y., Alexandra Koop '12 of Sudbury, Mass., Lyndsay Kovalsky '12 of Merrick, N.Y., Erin McDonough '12 of Rockville Centre, N.Y., and Michaela Tompkins '12 of Troy, N.Y.

The Podgorskis and several other girls at Granby (Conn.) High School started Princess & the Prom in 2007, collecting 375 pre-worn dresses that year.

"Prom is such a special event in every girl's life. It's the highlight of the high school memories," said Podgorski, a global studies major.  "It has become so expensive that we wanted to help make it affordable for everyone."

"Every woman, no matter what age, knows that prom is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Cheryle Podgorski. "When we founded this organization, we received the added benefit of working as mothers and daughters toward a common goal: helping high school girls afford to go to prom."

This year's gown giveaway, held in late March in the Hartford area, featured more than 1,200 dresses to choose from and a variety of purses, shoes, and other accessories. Approximately 60 volunteers coordinated the event, which included drawings for items such as prom tickets and gift certificates for makeovers.

Podgorski and her mother got the idea for Princess & the Prom during her junior year of high school after reading about a similar program in San Francisco.

"It's extremely rewarding to see a girl get the dress of her dreams and know that she will look beautiful at prom," said Podgorski.

"It was especially gratifying for me as an alumna to have Lauren and the PC girls volunteer at the gown giveaway event," said Cheryle Podgorski. "I am delighted that Princess & the Prom has been able to help so many, and I'm proud that my alma mater has a student body comprised of so many fine, civic-minded young women."

For more information, visit www.princessandtheprom.org.

- Joe Miller '10

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