Save the Last Dress: Sailors help "Dress Up" Prom

NAVAL AIR STATION JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Sailors from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron Five Eight (VR-58) helped local high school students participate in their prom with the creation of the VR-58 Prom Dress Drive.

Prom is a rite of passage for many high school students. For some students, the customary formal prom attire can be cost prohibitive. The idea to help those who were affected this obstacle was started when Senior Chief Naval Aircrewman Mechanical Deyaniris Santiago, a VR-58 Reservist, was spring cleaning at her home.

"I was looking at all of these dresses my daughters wore, just sitting there in my closet," said Santiago. "I thought that I could do something good with them."

Santiago shared her thoughts to VR-58 where several command Sailors expanded the idea into a prom dress drive.

"Prom is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Shanna Tripp. "I didn't want to see someone miss out on that."

Over three months, the squadron received donations consisting of dresses, accessories and other formal wear.

The students of Foundation Academy received a total of 50 dresses and various other items. Foundation Academy is an arts-based private school with an enrollment of approximately 250 students, 85 percent of whom are on needs-based scholarships.

Giving back to the community proved to be a rewarding event for the Sailors of VR-58.

"We were excited to deliver the dresses," said Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Wendy Tetreault. "They were very appreciative for the opportunity to try on dresses and find something they liked."

Santiago already has plans for the prom in 2014. "We are making this a yearly event and next year we are going to expand it to include suits and tuxedos for the guys. It was a lot of fun for everyone and I can't wait to do it again," Santiago said.

For more news from Patrol Squadron 62, visit www.navy.mil/local/vp62/ .