By Star Friend and Kamilah Torres-Cruz
Cinderella probably wasn’t the first girl to leave her shoe behind when she left the dance
in a hurry, and she definitely was not the last. The cleanup crew found several shoes after
this weekend’s prom in the Commons at JHHS, including one single strappy leather sandal,
size 9.
Handley students got dressed up on May 14 for the school’s first official prom in two years. If there was one major trend in dress styles, it was classy and sophisticated. Many girls wore floor-length gowns in rich jewel tones, evoking a 1940’s, old-world glamor. Sleek-form fitting styles dominated in fabrics from silk to satin, tulle, and velvet.
But for some students, glamor didn’t come with a hefty price tag.
Kelly Jose wore a floor-length purple velvet gown she purchased in December from Ross for $23. The dress needed a minor alteration on the neckline, Kelly said, which is why it had been marked down.
“I tried on one other dress that I genuinely thought about buying, but it didn’t fit me. It was a wedding dress, but it was very simple,” Kelly said. “That one was at the Blue Ridge Hospice Thrift Store.”
In the search for a gown, cost is just one factor students considered. Mainly, they wanted something flattering that reflected their style. Kadan Jones got her diaphanous pale blue gown from etsy, an online marketplace that sells handmade, vintage, and unique items.
Michelle Roldan accessorized her blue and white floral gown from Macy’s with a matching stuffed bunny and a tiara.
Other students wanted to show a little school spirit with their prom attire.
“I wanted to wear the school color,” said Jeferson Lozano-Martinez, who wore a maroon shirt with a black suit.
Meagan Crawmer also wore maroon, choosing an off-shoulder jumpsuit over a gown.
On Sunday, junior class sponsors Amanda Dodge and Cynthia Rodriguez said they were relieved that the prom was a success after all the planning and work that went into it. And although they collected a small pile of forgotten shoes after the dance, sadly, anyone who comes forward to claim the shoes will not get a proposal from a prince to go with them.
For more prom photos, see Instagram.
