In preparation for prom Saturday, May 10, Archie Williams Peer Resource (PR) has opened its third annual Prom Pop-Up. The Pop-Up, which opened Thursday, April 17, is held in the library during lunch every day and after school until five p.m. The Pop-Up aims to make prom more accessible for students by providing free prom attire, alleviating the financial burden that often comes with the event. 

The shop offers a variety of prom essentials, including dresses, suits, ties, shoes, and more. Students, parents, teachers, and other members of the local community provided all of the attire through donations. 

For students, the price of attending prom can be a barrier. The cost of attendance this year is 110 dollars for Archie Williams students, and outfits can cost hundreds of dollars, not to mention accessories and shoes. The Prom Pop-Up looks to relieve that financial pressure by providing stylish options at no cost, ensuring everyone has the chance to participate in this memorable event.

Archie Williams senior PR member Skylar Coe is in charge of the Prom Pop-Up this year and highlights the importance of the Pop-Up.

“The Pop-Up has an important impact on the Archie [Williams] community because it gives everybody fair access and resources to feel and look good at prom when tickets are already expensive. I believe that everybody should be able to have the same options and opportunities,” Skylar said.

Archie Williams junior PR member Evelyn Jones emphasizes how the Prom Pop-Up can help many students attend the event without financial worry.

“I think it’s important to offer free prom attire because the cost of clothing should not be a barrier keeping students from coming to the dance,” Evelyn said.

PR teacher Jenny Brown also believes that the Pop-Up can be environmentally beneficial.

“One hope for the Pop-Up is that we can reuse articles of clothing or accessories so that things don’t get used only once. [This helps] not fill up landfills with the waste from fast fashion,” Brown said.

PR encourages students to stop by early for the best selection. The event will continue to run in the days leading up to prom, giving everyone a chance to find something special for the night.