Randolph Learning Center to Hold Spring Formal
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| Showing off her prom apparel is Ashleigh Miller, a 10th grade student at Randolph Center. Photo: Urban News |
By Eric “Big E” Howard, MSW
I have been honored as a Social Worker to have many powerful female influences in my practice and my development as a person. This year I wanted to do something special for the young women I work with because many of the students I serve do not have some of the opportunities that many other students their age do.
It was by pure chance that I learned in a conversation with my friend Trish Marshall that every year she and a group of women design and try to help a young woman get dressed for the prom. It was then that I really thought about the fact that we don’t have a prom at Randolph, but why shouldn’t we?!!
With the help of the entire Randolph Learning Center staff, especially
Ms. Ebony Presha and Ms. Michelle Harrison, and other volunteers, we
are glad to be holding the first formal for RLC students. There have
been so many people in the community who have helped this dream become
a reality. Ms. Lindsay Carver is a University of North Carolina at
Asheville senior who is doing her philanthropic work at the Randolph
Learning Center representing Alpha Xi Delta, Zeta Tau Chapter.
Ms. Carver has helped Randolph Learning Center by collecting donations
and by helping plan, fundraise, and decorate for the first spring
formal at RLC. This is just one example of an empowered young woman who
has come to help the young women at a school who otherwise would not
have opportunity to attend a formal or have the economic ability to
purchase such extravagant dresses.
Another inspiring part of this story is the overwhelming support we
have received from the local dress making community. Dresses were
donated from Studio Wed, who also works in partnership with Girls on
the Run. Ms. Edna Holt and Ms. Melissa Smith are two local women who
donated some of the dresses from their own homes in order to ensure
that every girl has a dress.
Trish Marshall of Rags Reborn has coordinated all of the dress
donations and brought together a team of local designers to help at
RLC. Terra Gorman has been a working designer since 1998 and has her
own label called “Mingers.” Ms. Gorman was inspired to get involved
with the spring formal at the school because she came from a similar
background as a teen and her creativity is what helped her through the
difficult times. She hopes to inspire and give love to all of those who
deserve it.
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| Trish Marshall owner of Rags Reborn and organizer of the ladies formal dresses. Photo: Urban News |
Ace Baggot of Mary Ace Designs has been doing a lot of behind the
scenes work for the ladies and their dresses. Roxanne Frue, of FROX
(www.rsfrue.com), has come out to lend her expertise and creativity to
the formal; Victoria the Dressmaker, who has offered seamstress
expertise and much time and energy to the project, graciously says, “I
help how I can because I can”. All of these local designers have come
aboard to help the young women at Randolph make this event possible.
I find myself in awe of these women and what they have contributed so
that beautiful young women can have one special night that they will
remember and cherish forever. Trish of Rags Reborn also stated that
this event was so moving that other local designers want to participate
and possibly make this an annual event. I say we will welcome any such
possibility.
Note: Our young men also need assistance in obtaining tuxedos for this
special occasion as well. If you or your organization would like to
sponsor a young man, or if you have a tuxedo to donate, please come
join to help us. Make checks out to Randolph Learning Center. Include
Barriers to Bridges on memo line. For more details please call (828)
350-6909, (828) 350-6900 or email [email protected].
Randolph Learning Center is the Alternative High School located at 90 Montford Ave., Asheville NC, 28801.
Principal Gordon Grant, Ed.D.
