A successful 2015 dress and accessory boutique has resulted in a second annual event at Bridgeport Middle School. Eighth grade students already organizing age-appropriate party dresses which will be available for the taking to anyone who wishes to attend the school’s annual winter dress-up dance which will be held Dec. 8.

 

“We have collected around 30 to 40 this year and still have donations coming in,” said Samantha Olivio, student organizer.

 

Dresses, shoes and accessories can be brought to the BMS office after which Olivio and other organizers will arrange them in the makeshift boutique.

 

“After we have received all of the donations, students make appointments and come shop during AA,” she said. “We then figure out the girl’s style and size and find them a dress they like – with shoes and/or accessories.”

 

Everything stays confidential and girls donating items agree not to point out those items if seen at the dance. This effort is for the sole purpose of making sure every girl in the school has an outfit she loves and feels good in for the dance.

 

Principal Carole Crawford said she last year made a suggestion about hosting a dress closet and some of her eighth grade students ran with the idea, immediately putting it into motion.

 

“We thought if we did something like this, (the girls) would have something to wear and would want to go to the dance,” said Miranda Kress, now a Bridgeport High School freshman.

 

And it worked out perfectly.

 

“They all left in dresses they loved and felt good in. They had huge smiles on their faces,” Kress said.

 

Also involved with last year’s initial winter dress-up dance boutique was Sophia Gorby and Abby Jeffers. The girls’ enthusiasm has been passed on to this year’s organizers.

 

“This is super important to us because we know how fun it is to get dressed up for the dance and we want other girls to know how it feels as well,” said Maggie Peasak.

 

Organizers offered suggestions regarding the items and styles they are looking for.

 

“We feel that short dresses are in at the moment, but we love them all and feel that everyone has their own style and can rock whatever they choose,” Peasak said. “We’re also giving away jewelry including necklaces and earrings and we also have lots of gorgeous shoes in all different styles and sizes.”

 

The girls said they are super excited to do this project and hope that everyone utilizes the dress boutique to find the perfect dress to wear to this year’s dance.

 

Overseeing this year’s project is BMS Librarian Missy Hinerman. 

 

Editor's Note: Top photo was taken during the 2015 dress drive. Just above are Samantha Olivio and Maggie Peasak being interviewed by WDTV News Channel 5.