TORRINGTON – With an average cost of $1,000 per attendee in the U.S., prom can seem out of reach for many high school students. Locally, however, members of Torrington High School’s leadership class are working to make sure all eligible teenagers have an opportunity to dance the night away.

Although prom isn’t until Saturday, April 14, THS seniors Shelby Luttrell, Sydney West, Chrissy Lira and Kalli Smith began campaigning to secure donations for Project Prom last fall.

“(Project Prom) helps people who can not necessarily afford prom,” Luttrell explained. “We want people to be able to go stress free. We want to offer not only dresses, but dinners, corsages, hair, makeup.”

So far, the girls have collected monetary donations from area banks, hair and makeup services and dresses. The project isn’t only for females, as male students can use funds for tux rentals, dinners and more.

“We would like to get all donations by the end of March,” Luttrell said. Current needs are monetary donations and dresses larger than size 10.

Residents may remember Project Prom from two years ago when another group of students championed the cause. This year, members of the senior leadership class chose to bring the endeavor back for their action research project.

“I feel like it’s a problem close to us,” Luttrell said. “Prom is super expensive, and really stressful, even for people who can afford it. We don’t want people to not go because of money.”

Students who want to use the service are encouraged to stop by the school counselor’s office.

To donate, contact Luttrell, West, Lira or Smith or call THS at (307) 532-7101.