One of the last milestones in the high school career of Samohi’s 2024 class took place over the weekend, as the Los Angeles Airport Marriott was bouncing with sharp-dressed dancers during Saturday’s prom night. While a student’s prom look is paramount to a successful night, not everyone had access to a robust closet until a group of volunteers broke down financial barriers.
In the lead-up to prom, Samohi Bilingual Community Liaison Johanna De la Rosa opened the doors of classroom E100 to all Samohi students needing a suit or dress for the big night, curating a free “prom boutique” that students could step into during the afternoon hours. The boutique featured a selection of designer clothes and accessories that go far beyond what you may see at a typical thrift store.
Along with the vast amount of clothing options taken from donations, the boutique also offered tailoring services by parent volunteer Julie Flanders and a host of help from student volunteers.
“A lot of [students] have never tried on evening wear, they’ve never put a suit on [or] never put a dress on, so just to see them say oh, that looks nice on me, it [feels] good … [it] gets them out of their baggy clothes,” Flanders said.
Originally conceived by De la Rosa in 2019, the boutique has come back stronger than ever after the COVID-19 pandemic complicated prom night for a couple of years. The Samohi staff member worked with school officials to create the space in order to be inclusive and accepting of all students.
“A lot of times, the kids who cannot afford anything will not come in because they don’t want to be singled out, [but] the doors are open [here] so that any kid can walk in,” De la Rosa said. “I don’t care what you have, what you don’t have, it’s all for you.”
Promoting inclusivity means crafting an environment where every Samohi student can adequately prepare for prom, one of the pivotal nights in their social lives. The boutique gatherings held during lunch and after-school hours also enhance social connections between lifelong pals and new acquaintances alike.
“I’m always emotional [because] I love how they come in with friends and help each other, to see this is really fun because I see kids that normally don’t hang out together, but then they come here and they’re helping each other,” De la Rosa added.
Flanders added that the spring semester is “so expensive” for seniors with events like prom and graduation taking much preparation and funding. Being a volunteer at the boutique is “fantastic,” she notes, because of being able to provide designer-level clothing at the ultimate bargain, and because boutique items are unique and won’t be replicated by other prom-goers.
The space also allows students to choose clothing for occasions outside of prom, such as graduation, making the boutique a year-round help for the Samohi public.
“It’s just such a welcoming environment, it makes me want to stay here and it makes me want to help support as much as possible,” Samohi Student Activities Director Stefani Tovar said. “It just reminds me of why Samohi is such a special community.”