As WS is gearing up for its first ever Winter Formal, SGA is making sure this event is accessible by launching a dress-up drive, providing formal attire to all students.
According to senior SGA officer Molly Zimmerman, the drive was inspired by a desire to ensure affordability.
“When we were planning for the Winter Formal, we realized that this new event would create a new expense for students and families in our community,” said Zimmerman.
Noting the impact of financial strain on families due to recent events like the government shutdown, Zimmerman emphasizes the core goal.
“We did not want our first ever Winter Formal to be inaccessible. We wanted to create a more affordable alternative for finding formal wear for the dance,” said Zimmerman.
The student effort has been fully supported by the SGA faculty sponsor, Elizabeth Murphy, who helped guide the organizational and logistical planning of this event. Murphy believes the drive does more than just lower costs, it changes how students view fashion.
“Thrifting teaches creativity, sustainability, and confidence. With the dress-up drive, students can find something unique while being mindful of the environment. We wanted this drive to remove barriers, reduce waste, and show that reusing and sharing can make meaningful experiences more accessible for everyone,” said Murphy.
The SGA collected gently used formal wear, with plans to turn the leadership classroom into a thrift store and boutique.
Students would drop off donated items in room 1004 in the main office. From January 7-9, the SGA hosted a dress exchange in room 2114.
“There is no limit on how many dresses you can donate!” Zimmerman explains. “You can only get volunteer points for two dresses, but you can still donate as many as you want,” says Zimmerman.
Students who can’t donate clothing are still asked to support the drive by encouraging their friends to donate and spread excitement for the Winter Formal.
Murphy suggests students should spread the word through social media platforms and reach out to community members for donations.
“Students could post to their neighborhood Facebook pages to see if community members might have gently used current style dresses or dress shirts,” said Murphy.
The SGA’s commitment goes beyond this event. They plan to host another dress drive for Prom, and are looking for possibly partnering with Get2Green to help create a thrift store at school.
“We hope that this offers a more affordable option to everyone in our community, as well as fostering a more generous community at WS,” said Zimmerman.
