Photoessay #63 - Getting ready for prom

I like this photo because it shows so many individuals fulfilling their roles at an event. To borrow a phrase from a previous time ... Everybody is doing their thing. May 2005, Ilana is going to Shorecrest prom. We are gathered with her 'group' of kids attending the prom in one family's yard for a big photosession and gathering.

Josh, the date, is looking mighty proud of himself, all of the boys did. His dad was there, apparently thrilled that Josh had gotten it together to get a date and go to prom. I think he was more pleased than anybody else. Never heard much more about Josh, though I know that he didn't graduate with his class and may have gone into the army. Hope he isn't in Iraq!

Ilana is admiring the wrist corsage that Josh has just given her. He looks pleased about that, too. Her thick curly hair is piled high in a prom hairdo. Some hairdresser related to one of the prom-goers donated her time to fix many of the girl's hair. There was a little grumbling among the crowd that Ilana's 'do' had taken a lot of the available time, she's got a lotta hair.

Doesn't she look gorgeous? The beautiful yellow designer dress was purchased for $12 at the Eugene (OR) Goodwill. That Goodwill is the best especially at its former location by Autzen Stadium. Lots of quality clothes in there with a steady clientele. If you purchase your prom dress at the Goodwill, you get a lot of supporting (or otherwise) comments from the other Goodwill customers. "Sweetie, that looks fab on you! You should go for it!" The Goodwill also maintains a steady supply of couches and chairs that furnish the circulating student households. You get your furniture at Goodwill, when you graduate you give it back and the next student uses it to furnish a similar place. The softball girls quickly learned that if you need something, you go to the Goodwill to see what's available.

The pale yellow dress with the boned bodice and the satin and net skirt was a "Jessica McClintock" From the internet "Designer Jessica McClintock is synonymous with romance, beauty, and passion. From classic white ball gowns in satin and lace to spectacular colorful evening dresses in shantung and georgette, " Obviously worn once if at all. It looked dynamite on her, only problem was that it was a size 3 and Ilana was a size 9. She could get it zipped up but there was a definite hazard that the whole thing would fly apart (with obvious dramatic consequences) if, say, she walked, ate or breathed. Not to worry. One her friend's moms, Nancy, who made Susanna's dress, fixed it up by tearing out the zipper making a lace-up back for it plus added the matching shawl.

I have no idea what shantung or georgette are but those words look like they belong in that sentence....

I'm busy helping her with the shawl. Dennis is getting into position to take some more pictures with Naomi on his heels, enjoying being part of the whole affair.

Much of the affair involved posed pictures of the entire group. One wonderful thing about proms now is that you don't need a date. The kids go in groups so everybody can go. EVERYBODY CAN GO! Makes perfect sense.

When they departed for the actual event, all of the parents were gathered to see them off. Struck me as yet another opportunity for a group picture. So there we all are, the parents of those that are attending the prom. Most probably those that have paid the bills....