Students help their peers shop smart for big event

WASILLA — Wasilla High School seniors Zane Davis and Amby Sandone know how to stage a show! Davis is the creative director and Sandone the donation coordinator for a prom dress project and fashion show that will culminate on prom night April 6.

“I know that sometimes my friends don’t have the money to buy a prom dress or they want to shop smart and save some money,” Davis said.

During the March 21 prom fashion show, 14 Wasilla High students walked the runway in clouds of white, pink and soft blue, while other dresses were in classy taffeta black or beige with tulle or lace accents, and still more in fun, tropical prints.

“There are thousands of dollars of dresses and every color you can imagine from which to choose,” Davis said.

He reasoned that if he could present the need, he would find a way to meet it. Sandone came on board and the two set out to ask for donated prom dresses.

“If others have ideas like this about things that they can do to help their friends, they should just get out and get it done. There’s help out there if you ask,” Davis said.

After securing donations from Infusion Boutique and Mila’s Alterations in Wasilla — 10 gowns from Infusion Boutique and about 30 from Mila’s — Wasilla mom, Hott Hott Chocolate owner Cyndi Lazar, donated “a lot of dresses.” The two went to work creating what the show would be like. Rolling out the red carpet was the easy part.

“We had been so surprised at how quickly the donated dresses came in and how much support we received,” Sandone said. “We knew we wanted to let students know about how they could find just the right dress at a price they can afford, so we went to Mrs. Spargo and asked if we could do a fashion show during lunch,” said Zane.

Smiling, Sandone said, “We were a little surprised she said yes, but are so glad.”

When asked what would they like to say to your friends about the whole project, Davis responded, “Thanks for helping out! This was an amazingly easy and fun project because so many people have helped. We love Mrs. Spargo and it was really Ms. Haynes’ idea, so we just took it and ran with it.”

“Zane came up with an incredibly creative plan for providing donated dresses to our students who cannot afford a dress at prom time,” principal Amy Spargo said. “Thursday’s fashion show was a way to let our students know what is out there to help them make prom a special event, and the show was a fun event during school. We are grateful for the way students and community partners have stepped up to meet the needs of other students.”

Davis said projects like this are what make Wasilla High a great place to be a student.

“It is great to part of a school that lets us have fun while we work hard,” Davis said.

For more information about how to buy a dress, how much a dress may cost and more is available, contact teacher Deb Haynes in Room 140.

Similar prom opportunities to help students are available at other Mat-Su high schools.

Catherine Esary is the public information officer for the Mat-Su Borough School District.