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www.oakvillebeaver.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, November 11, 2009 · 18 Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Phone: 905-337-5560 Fax: 905-337-5571 e-mail: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com Making the prom a mission E very girl -- and guy -- wants to go to their prom. The affair is glitzed up with dresses and suits, hair and makeup, cars and corsages. Beneath the trappings, it's really about celebrating the end of a long school year -- and an entire high school career -- with the good friends made along the way. It's about being grown up and independent, at the same time as celebrating with familiar faces. It's about connecting with old friends before, once again, striking out on one's own. That's how a group of five Appleby College female students, and teacher Melissa Fernandes who herself grew up in Oakville, describe what prom night means. They are out to ensure every teen in town has the chance to be part of the rite of passage. Laura De'ath, 17, said she doesn't want anyone her age to stay home or elsewhere, feeling left out or wondering what their friends are doing on prom night. If it's a dress, suit or makeup advice -- the glitz -- that is looming as an obstacle to what really means so much more -- this group of girls aim to remove it. They are spending several hours each week in their services co-curricular program with the goal of amassing an array of prom dresses, suits and gift certificates that will be made available to anyone who needs them. They are cold calling businesses, dropping off flyers, soliciting donations from friends, neighbours, the community, teachers and more. The group has contacted local agencies like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Halton and the Halton Children's Aid Society (CAS) to get the word out to those who may ERIC RIEHL / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER need assistance. Both organizations deal with PROM PROJECT: From Left, Appleby College teacher Melissa Fernandes many teens and Fernandes said she and students (above) Laura De'ath, Alexandra Henderson,(below) Alex Beran, See The page 22 and Nikki Kipp.