Submitted story 02/24/2017
Owasso High School teacher, Stephani Barger, makes every effort to make sure her students with special needs have the same experiences that all students have, including prom night. This year some of the girls were not going to be able to attend due to cost or other factors. Barger was unsure how she would make things work considering the cost of a dress, shoes, and accessories for each girl, but she was willing to try. That is when a parent told her about Prom Wishes, Incorporated. Prom Wishes is a ministry that provides prom dresses, shoes, and accessories for Green Country teens in need. Upon contacting Prom Wishes, Barger was told that all 5 girls would be fitted for prom dresses to make their prom dreams come true.
Prom Wishes considers prom night to be one of the top five events in a young woman’s life. The ministry doesn’t want finances to keep girls from attending this special night. To help each teen, Prom Wishes provides a dress, shoes, and accessories to wear for their big night. And the volunteers at Prom Wishes want it to be more than that. They talk with each young lady about beauty and confidence, telling them that they are perfect in God’s eyes. The girls who benefit from this program with the things they need for prom night and a boost of self confidence.
So, on February 22nd, just 2 months before Owasso’s prom, Mrs. Barger took her students to Prom Wishes. Each girl was welcomed and paired up with a volunteer consultant and then the fun began. The teens had the opportunity to try on as many dresses as they pleased until they found the perfect dress. The girls beamed with the giddiness of girlhood while looking over the many choices. Each one dreaming of the princess she will be on prom night. One of the girls, upon finding “the dress” bounced down the hall to show her teacher and then posed like a ballerina while looking at herself in the mirror.
Another student was a bit more shy, but she was encouraged to look at herself in the mirror. As she looked up, the volunteer told her she was beautiful, and she replied, “I am”. She then began to smile and twirl around in her dress and that smile remained on the ride home. After trying on many dresses, and being given affirmations , each girl chose their perfect dress. They were all excited and talked of being princesses on their prom night.
After a few pictures were shared on social media, a few donors have stepped in to make the night even more special. There have been donations to cover the cost of a few prom tickets, a dinner, some accessories, and even corsages and boutonnieres for the students . Owasso’s prom will be held on April 22nd and Mrs. Barger’s group plans to meet at a local park so that parents can take pictures. They will go to dinner before prom and then dance the night away at the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks. They will end the night with a pancake breakfast.
Prom Wishes, Inc. has a goal to help 150 this year. If you know of a teen in need of help to make their prom wishes come true, please refer them to Prom Wishes. There website is: http://prom-wishes-inc.org/Index.html. You can contact Sarah Bridgeman directly at 918-288-6227. If you would like to donate to Prom Wishes, monetary gifts can be mailed to: Prom Wishes Inc. P.O. Box 163 Sperry, OK, 74073. Gifts of prom dresses, shoes, and accessories can be dropped off at Waterstone Dry Cleaners in Owasso.
Mrs. Barger tears up when she thinks about the dream she had and how it is being fulfilled. She is very thankful to Prom Wishes and those who have donated. If you would like to help with prom night expenses, you can mail your gift to Owasso High School, c/o Stephani Barger, 12901 E 86th St N, Owasso, Ok 74055. You can also drop off donations to the High School Office marked Stephani Barger, Prom Night.
