Annual Primp for Prom Event Gives Away More Than 300 Dresses Over Two-Day Span

March 15, 2024

Hundreds of free dresses were tried on and selected by students from 30 high schools in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas during the two-day Northwestern Primp for Prom event held at Woodward High School March 14-15.

More than 300 dresses were given away to students from 30 high schools in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas during the 10th annual Primp for Prom event recently held at Woodward High School.

This year more than 500 dresses and 100 pairs of shoes were donated to the Northwestern Oklahoma State University social work department that co-sponsors the event with Woodward High School.

On behalf of her department, Dr. Kylene Rehder, chair of the department of social work, social work program director and professor of social work, expressed appreciation to those who helped with the event’s success including her co-director Stefanie Alexander; Woodward High School students and staff; Northwestern-Woodward campus dean Dr. Jonathan Thomason; former Woodward campus dean Dr. Deena Fisher; Mayor Tom Fisher; Woodward Leadership Advisory Board members; Tres Jolie of Edmond;  Roberta Chance; Gamma Club of Woodward; Alison Collier; Northwestern social work student volunteers; social work alumni and professional social workers; Celebrations of Woodward; and all the generous dress and accessory donors from across northwest Oklahoma. She noted a special thanks to the administration of Woodward High School for playing host to the event.

“Please understand this event is about more than dresses,” Rehder said. “We see it as a means to embody our university and professional commitment to serve. This community event provides financial support to families, builds a sense of community, celebrates inclusion, models service, and promotes positive self-images, confidence and empowerment to young people.”

For more information about this event or the department, please contact Rehder at kdrehder@nwosu.edu or (580) 327-8135. For additional information on Northwestern’s social work department, visit https://www.nwosu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences/social-work.

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