WHEN A GIRL decides that she is going to prom, there is usually a panic over what dress she is going to get.

There are the worries that if she gets a cheap dress it won’t look as good as everyone else’s, but there is also the worry of pushing her dress budget too far. Having the same prom dress as someone else would be a horrible coincidence, and simply discovering a store where you can find a dress you like is a chore in and of itself.

The Perfect Prom Project is working to assuage the dress-finding fears of high school girls in Central Illinois. For close to three years now, this program has been helping teens to find their perfect dress, purse, shoes, and jewelry for a great price: free.

The motto of the organization is: “Nobody should have to pay to look and feel like a princess.” As a registered student organization at the University of Illinois, this program relies heavily on the assistance of both high school and college students. Local high schoolers are asked to donate dresses and accessories, and college students can sign up to be volunteers.

On Saturday, the organization will hold its annual “Boutique Day,” where high school girls can pick out free prom dresses and accessories. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Room 314 at the Illini Union, 1401 Green St., Urbana.

Gargoyle reporter Deborah Ladd got her hair styled at last Sunday's Perfect Prom Project fashion show after she won a raffle. Photo courtesy of Deborah Ladd (click to enlarge).

Taking advantage of Boutique Day is simple. In fact, it only takes about four steps:

1. Show up at the boutique with a valid high school ID or any ID showing you are of high school age.
2. Meet your “personal shopper” (a U of I volunteer), who will help you to find your perfect dress and accessories.
3. Wrap up the items you want … without paying a dime.
4. Wear to prom and enjoy!

This year the Perfect Prom Project started its season on Sunday, March 30, with a prom dress fashion show. Co-sponsored by Centennial’s PTA, the show was held in Centennial High School’s gym.

The event consisted of various members of the Perfect Prom organization modeling some of the dresses that will be up for grabs on Boutique Day. One of the other highlights was a raffle. Tickets cost $1 for a single and $5 for six.

I attended the show and decided to shell out a few bucks for charity. As the event began and they drew a ticket to announce the winner of the raffle, I looked up in surprise when I heard my name. I had won a free sample hairstyle that I would receive then and there; I could also take home one of the models' dresses if I wanted to.

So as I got my hair styled and wondered how ridiculous I was looking to the twenty-odd people gathered there, I watched as 11 girls marched by me in some of the most extravagant free dresses I had ever seen.

After about 40 dresses had been modeled, the Perfect Prom group raffled off a few more things. One girl won a gift card for a free mani/pedi, a couple others got the privilege of going to the Boutique Day early, and one other girl also was given the opportunity to take home one of the dresses that had been modeled.

After that raffle was over, all that was left was for me to go downstairs and see if I liked any of the dresses I saw. I did end up choosing one, but the coordinators also said that if I went to the boutique on Saturday I could exchange that dress for another if I wanted to. Reportedly there will be more than 400 dresses available.

And if anyone at this year's prom decides to brag to me about how expensive their fancy new prom dress is, I will proudly say that I got mine for $5 — the cost of six raffle tickets.

That's one dress that I didn't have to break my bank to afford.