Cheerleaders aim to ensure every senior gets to prom

WEST HAVEN — Organizers behind a local initiative want to ensure that income has no bearing on young people’s ability to make memories.

“We want seniors to have the experience every senior should have,” said Tianna Greene, co-captain of the West Haven High School varsity cheerleading team. “We know that money is tight because of the pandemic.”

West Haven cheerleaders are collaborating on the DRIP Project, which is soliciting donations to make it so every West Haven High School senior has the outfit, styling and transportation necessary to look their best for the senior prom.

“A kid won’t even worry about a ticket if they don’t have the resources or apparel to go, transportation, or other services like a haircut or hairstyling — all those preliminary things,” said Bridgette Hoskie, head coach of the cheerleading team, Greene’s mother and a city councilwoman. “A kid won’t show up in jeans.”

Greene said Dazzle Boutique donated about 100 never-worn dresses through the initiative from sizes 2 to 20 and barbers have agreed to show up to the high school on the day or prom to give students a fresh cut.

Hoskie said the DRIP Project still is seeking new or gently-worn formal clothing, especially suits and tuxedos, which will be collected at the high school from 10 a.m. to noon March 26.

She said no donated clothes will go to waste.

“Once the seniors are all set, if we have anything left over we’ll offer it to juniors and then the hope is we can reach out to Bailey (Middle School), because they have eighth-grade graduation,” she said.

Although this is the first year the team is looking to gather resources for senior prom, Hoskie said there long has been an emphasis on volunteerism and civic engagement on the cheerleading team.

“In the past we’ve put ‘no littering’ signs around sewers in West Haven, participated in events at the Green and done different things around the community like pick up trash on the beach,” Greene said.

Those seeking more information about the DRIP Project collection can call 631-810-9175 or email westhavencheerleading@gmail.com.

Contributed photo From left, West Haven cheerleaders Emily Hennessey, Ivyanna Vereen and Tianna Greene with dresses donated through the DRIP Project initiative.