Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rockf ...
and surrounding states.
The purpose of the Perfect Prom Project is to reach out to the Champaign-Urbana, Illinois community by providing free
prom
A promenade dance, commonly called a prom, is a dance party for high school students. It may be offered in semi-formal black tie or informal suit for boys, and evening gowns for girls. This event is typically held near the end of the school y ...
dresses and accessories for high school girls that may not be able to otherwise afford them
The Perfect Prom Project is a registered organization at the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (U of I, Illinois, University of Illinois, or UIUC) is a public land-grant research university in Illinois in the twin cities of Champaign and Urbana. It is the flagship institution of the Univ ...
.
The project was founded in June 2005 by its first president, Autumn Griffin. The Perfect Prom Project held its first annual prom boutique in April 2006 and its second boutique in April 2007. At the boutiques, high school girls from
Champaign County, Illinois
Champaign County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois. As of the 2020 census, its population was 205,865, making it the 10th-most populous county in Illinois. Its county seat is Urbana.
Champaign County is part of the Champaign–Urbana ...
and surrounding communities selected from over 300 new and gently used prom gowns. 40 dresses were given away at the first annual boutique; 80 dresses were given away at its second. Participants also took home accessories including shoes, purses, make-up, shawls, and more.
The project was inspired by similar initiatives that are happening across the country and plans to give away dresses every spring. Other projects giving away free prom attire for high school students can be found o Youth NoiseWordPress.com an - the latter of which also connects persons interested in starting their own charitable prom organizations.
The Perfect Prom Project has received coverage in the
Daily Illini
''The Daily Illini'', commonly known as the ''DI'', is a student-run newspaper that has been published for the community of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign since 1871. Weekday circulation during fall and spring semesters is 7,000; co ...
br> News Gazett UI7 television statio
WCIA
WCIA (channel 3) is a television station licensed to Champaign, Illinois, United States, serving as the CBS affiliate for the Central Illinois region. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside Springfield-licensed MyNetworkTV affiliate W ...
Daily Illini
''The Daily Illini'', commonly known as the ''DI'', is a student-run newspaper that has been published for the community of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign since 1871. Weekday circulation during fall and spring semesters is 7,000; co ...
Daily Illini
''The Daily Illini'', commonly known as the ''DI'', is a student-run newspaper that has been published for the community of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign since 1871. Weekday circulation during fall and spring semesters is 7,000; co ...
'', August 23, 2005, retrieved August 13, 2006.
* "All Dressed Up: Perfect Prom Begins with Free Formalwear" by Melissa Merli, ''The News-Gazette'', April 20, 2006.