Reagan High School senior Diana Velasquez is excited about her upcoming prom and thanks to the generosity of several local organizations she’ll be going to the event dressed to the nines. “It’s going to be a big day for me and I am very lucky to have my dress, jewelry and even my shoes paid for,” said Velasquez.

Velasquez and 27 other Reagan senior girls, who might ordinarily miss out on the magic of prom, were recently treated to a shopping day from the Houston Heights Woman’s Club.

On April 5, Reagan’s Communities in Schools team turned the Reagan auditorium into a make-shift boutique full of brand-new and gently used gowns, jewelry and other accessories donated by the club. This is the second year Communities in Schools has collected donations and dresses in order to make the senior right of passage a special and memorable occasion for Reagan girls.

See more photos of Reagan students picking out prom materials.

“Many of our girls can’t afford to buy a dress for prom and this lets them experience the event and feel comfortable,” said Reagan Communities in Schools Coordinator Nakia Hanson.

Sojourn Community Church also donated gift cards to allow senior boys to rent tuxes for the May 18 event which is being held at the Four Seasons Hotel. Two local salons are also offering a discount for girls to have their hair and makeup done. One lucky couple will receive a gift card for dinner at the Capital Grille on prom night.

For Velasquez, the hardest part was trying to pick one gown from a sea of colorful options available in all sizes and styles. “It’s really nice that they are helping us and allowing us to save money for other things like college,” said Velasquez. “It really makes me feel special.”