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Students find new use for old formals

Leah Stout intended to wear a blue formal dress to prom but never did.

Instead, she found a dress in another style and color that she liked better and actually wore that one to two proms.

When she posted a picture of that blue dress on her Facebook page, because she wanted to sell it, little did she know she would soon be telling others how they can donate prom dresses for a good cause.

The cause is a charity event called the Mad Hatter’s Prom Tea Party.

It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 31, in the Crystal Ballroom at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Fond du Lac.

The party includes a prom runway show and brunch. Tickets are $20.

Formal dresses, shoes and accessories that are donated are given to teens who can otherwise not go to prom because of financial difficulties.

All proceeds from the event – after the cost of the venue and meal – will go to the Boys and Girls Club.

Organizers of the event contacted Stout through Facebook after seeing her dress and asked her if she would like to donate it for their event.

While she wants to sell her never-worn dress, she was willing to donate the dress she did wear to prom.

She shared the information with her best friend, Nicole Gustke.

“I thought it was a good cause. I talked to Mr. Becker (a principal at WHS), and here we are every Wednesday,” Gustke said.

The past four Wednesdays have found the two of them set up at a table in the high school’s commons, during lunch, sharing information with others about the event.

On Wednesday, Feb. 22, they wore their prom dresses to school. They did their hair and put glittery eye shadow on their eyelids.

“A lot of people are asking about it,” Stout said.

They plan to attend the March 31 event in Fond du Lac.

With that the date of Waupaca High School’s prom, Stout and Gustke know this year’s junior class will not be able to donate their dresses or accessories.

But, they hope that those who have gone in the past will consider doing so.

“It’s not just girls,” Stout said. “Guys can donate formal wear, too.”

They will accept donations up until the weekend of the charity event. Students and graduates from other area high schools who want to donate dresses, shoes and jewelry or who want to go to the party may call 715-213-9036.

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