By Dave Russell
Students from Smoky Mountain High School and the surrounding area can sashay into the ballroom at prom looking smashing without breaking the bank.
A sort of pop-up shop offering gently-used, free prom dresses returns to Smoky Mountain next weekend. Pamela’s Closet is back for a second year to offer dresses in a wide range of sizes and more in the old chorus room at SMHS.
Last year, English teacher Heather Wright brought Pamela’s Closet to Sylva, but she has since taken a position in Shelby.
“I am continuing Pamela’s Closet in Sylva through remote collaboration with her,” new organizer and SMHS senior Carly Hester said. “It has been an honor to continue this event in Sylva, and I hope that many students will be able to find the perfect dress for their formal event at Pamela’s Closet.”
Organizers will set up racks and racks and racks, complete with dressing areas and mirrors and open the floor from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, March 25, and noon until 4 p.m. Sunday, March 26.
Pamela’s Closet, the Poplar Springs Baptist Church of Shelby chapter of Becca’s Closet, has functioned in Western North Carolina since 2016.
Becca Kirtman, a 16-year-old cheerleader and honor student at Nova High School in Davie, Florida, passed away in an automobile accident in 2003.
In the spring of her freshman year Kirtman had launched a dress drive to provide prom dresses and accessories to high school girls who could not afford to purchase them. During the spring of her sophomore year, she single-handedly collected and donated more than 250 formal dresses and helped hundreds of girls across South Florida attend their high school proms in style.
Her legacy will bring a lot of velvet, silk, chiffon, crepe, satin and organza to Smoky.
“Hundreds of prom and formal gowns will be on display for students in sizes ranging from 00-22,” Hester said. “All of the dresses are given to students completely free of charge, and all students are welcome. Students do not need to attend Smoky Mountain High School to get a dress.”
Dresses will be arranged according to size and students can try on as many gowns as they would like, but the rule is one dress per student. No proof of need is requested or asked for at any point in time, Hester said.
A limited number of accessories, such as shoes, jewelry and purses will be available, she said.
Organizers will accept prom gowns and formal shoes from now until the end of the March 26 event. Donations can be dropped off in the front office of Smoky Mountain High School during school hours.
Last year Pamela’s Closet helped over 150 students in six counties look their best when they entered the ballroom at Harrah’s. Support has been overwhelming, Hester said.
“I have been overjoyed to see how excited teachers and fellow students are to volunteer for the event, and I’m proud of the community for coming together to make this a success,” she said.
The SMHS prom is set for May 6 at the Harrah’s Cherokee Ballroom and Convention Center.
Find Pamela’s Closet on:
• Instagram: pamelas_closet_
• Facebook: Pamela’s Closet (PSBC Prom Distribution)
• Tik Tok: pamelas_closet
For more information, contact Hester at carly@student.jcpsmail.org.
