Between selecting among her college choices — including Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin., and the University of Illinois in Champaign — Waukegan High School senior Guadalupe Ramirez took a field trip to do some prom shopping.
Ramirez was among 25 Waukegan juniors and seniors to participate in VIP Day at the MTF Pop Up Prom Shoppe Friday before the Mothers Trust Foundation opens the doors to the general public over the weekend at the University Center of Lake County.
After listening to speakers talk about educational opportunities, how to handle job interviews and more, the girls were assigned a personal shopper — all volunteers from Mothers Trust — to show them dresses of all sizes and accessories. They tried on five and picked one.
“It was really nice,” Ramirez said. “She was very helpful. She asked what I would like. They were really trying to help. There were so many styles and sizes, but they helped me find one for me.”
Renie Umansky, Mothers Trust’s social media and market director who helped organize the event, said the dresses and accessories were free to the participants.
Along with Waukegan, students from Vernon Hills, Grayslake North, North Chicago, Zion-Benton and Highland Park high schools participated in VIP Day.
The MTF Pop Up Prom Shoppe will offer all Lake County high school students a free dress and some accessories from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the University Center of Lake County in Grayslake getting them outfitted for their coming formal dance.
Though the Mothers Trust Foundation is dedicated to helping Lake County youth from low-income families, Umansky said the only requirement to shop this weekend is showing a Lake County school ID.
While the teens are waiting to view the dresses and accessories, she said they will see a short video about educational opportunities at the College of Lake County, the Tech Campus and the University Center. Then it is time to shop.
“When their number is called, they’ll go with a personal shopper to look at dresses and try them on,” Umansky said. “Once they’re fitted, they’ll go with an accessories coordinator to complete their outfit.”
After they are fitted for their dress — minor alterations are done while they wait — she said each participant gets to select either a pair of shoes, a handbag or two pieces of jewelry.
Boys planning on going to their high school prom are not left out. Umansky said Mothers Trust partners with Smith Men’s Shop in Lake Forest to provide any boy coming to the event and presenting a high school ID a free suit.
After choosing from black, navy, charcoal gray or light gray at the event, she said they will then be given a certificate to go to the the store to be fitted for the suit, a white shirt, a cummerbund, a bow tie and a straight tie.
“They get to keep it after prom for graduation, a job interview or any other formal occasion,” Umansky said.
Some of the prom dresses are new, and donated by retail stores in the area. Umansky said others are gently used, donated and dry-cleaned. The shoes, handbags, purses and jewelry are acquired the same way.
“Some still have the tags on them,” she said. “Some were only worn once.”
Waiting for a personal shopper does not take long. Marly Subido, Mothers Trust’s office and events manager, said the number of volunteers helping with the event has grown over the years. It was approximately 400 last year, and may climb as high as 500 this year.
Subido, who remembers her high school prom in 1983, said shopping for her dress and accessories was an exciting experience. The Pop Up Shoppe gives the teens a chance to mix shopping and friendship.
“This is a community event,” she said. “We make this a fun experience for everyone. They get a chance to shop with their friends.”
While the shopping is taking place, the University Center will hold a workshop to help parents and students complete forms for financial aid, known as the FAFSA application. The form changed this year, and there have been complications.
Anani Moi, the University Center’s associate dean, said the workshop takes place between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, as well as between 9 a.m. and noon on April 20. Experts will be present to assist applicants.
“People will be able to complete the application there,” Moi said.
