Free winter formal dresses for girls in need

Noemi Lozano, Copy Editor

January 22, 2014

As Winter Formal approaches, Glamor Gowns coordinator Stacy Brabant collects dresses, accessories, and make-up to give to girls in need of dresses for the dance. Girls from Downey, Warren, and surrounding neighborhood high schools get dresses for free for Homecoming, Winter Formal, and Prom.

On Jan. 9, high school students in the city of Downey who were unable to purchase a gown for the Winter Formal dance were invited to receive the royal treatment by attending a free event called Glamour Gowns.

Glamour Gowns is a non profit organization that provides the necessities of a high school dance to underprivileged girls, giving them the night they have always dreamt of.

Girls who participated were not only gifted a variety of dresses to choose from, but were also given a choice of any purse, set of makeup, and shoe store gift card all provided by donations. This way, girls who may be less fortunate than others, could still enjoy the privilege to attend Winter Formal looking like a princess.

The dresses were collected throughout the year and many were donated by a thrift shop located in the Downey area. The dresses were all assorted by volunteers and held in the Assistance League Chapter House located at 7749 Florence Ave. in Downey.

Stacy Brabant, the event organizer, used this organization to help build up the self-esteems of other girls.

“It’s all about making them feel good about themselves,” Brabant said. “Creating memories, no matter who they are.”

After the girls picked the dress they liked the most and tried it on, they strutted down the room for the volunteers to see.

Sophomore Elani Venegas was happy and appreciative of the turnout of the event.

“I wasn’t planning on going to formal, but with the help of them, I now can,” Venagas said. “Plus, I love my dress!”

The volunteers and founders of this non-profit organization are appreciated for their kind and unimaginable work. They are constantly collecting dresses and accessories for these girls and are happy to do so.

Senior Genesis Ojeda benefited from this organization, being both surprised and grateful for this event.

“I thought there was going to be a catch to all this,” Ojeda said , “but it turns out it was just people doing nice things for others, something that’s not so common anymore.”

This organization is a year round collection and anybody is free to donate new or gently used dresses, purses, and jewelry by contacting Stacy Brabant at (310) 991-3757.

About the Contributors

Noemi Lozano, Copy Editor

Senior Noemi Lozano will be part of The Downey Legend for her second year as copy editor by taking on the responsibility of making important documents needed to have a successful deadline. She first heard about The Downey Legend from a photographer her sophomore year and joined her junior year where it really helped her become more social. “Freshmen year I was really shy and now I can’t stop talking,” Lozano said. She is a big people person but one of her biggest pet peeves is when people say her name wrong or mistakenly call her Naomi. One of Lozano’s favorite shows is Orange is the New Black. During her free time she listens to her favorite artist Kid Cudi .One of Lozano’s goals is to move to San Francisco. “I just want to get away from here and explore,” Lozano said. Another goal of hers would be working with kids, because she wants to follow in her older sisters’ footsteps: one is 25 years old and teaches children with special needs, and the other is a 28 years old speech therapist.

Amanda Lira, Photographer/Photo Editor

Among the returning members of The Downey Legend is Amanda Lira, who had personal motives to join the online newspaper. Lira who currently holds the position of Photo Editor was in junior high when she began to take an interest in photography and decided her dream was to work for a magazine. However, as time passed her gears began to shift toward medicine; but in spite of that, she never lost her passion for photography. “I joined ROP for sports medicine; my goal is to be in Skills USA this year,” Lira said. “I also decided to return to newspaper to meet new people and to feel like a part of something; we are like a little family.” Lira’s current dream is to attend San Francisco State and major in physical therapy. Aside from photography and medicine, Lira enjoys going to the beach with her cousin Lupe and watching Johnny Depp and Bradley Cooper movies. Lira’s aspirations have guided her decisions, from choosing to apply for newspaper, and taking ROP sports medicine. “I think it’s a big achievement¾becoming Photo Editor, and this year I plan on giving it everything,” Lira said. “It’s my senior year and the first step to getting where I want to be.”