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November 7, 2016VASJ senior Ashley Wilson had big ideas for her 18th birthday. She was trying to narrow down her ideas which included parties and indoor water amusement parks. But her internet search took her in a different direction. “I was thinking party, and then I saw ‘make a donation’ and decided, ‘nope, that is what I’m doing,’” Ashley says.
Now instead she was searching for what kind of impactful donation she could make. She decided to collect formal dresses to give to girls with financial need so they had something to wear to prom.
“A lot of people can’t afford prom dresses and it breaks my heart,” Ashley says. “Every girl should be able to go to prom.”
She is asking for donations of new or used formal dresses (can include prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, cocktail dresses, etc.) and will be collecting them from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at VASJ’s front turnaround on Saturday, November 19.
Ashley designed a postcard and had it printed as part of her birthday expenses, and has begun promoting the collection. She is thankful to have VASJ Principal David Csank’s support.
"I was impressed, though not surprised when Ashley asked me about this possibility,” Principal Csank says. “She is, and has always been, a positive leader. She puts others before herself. I told her that I thought it was a great idea, and other than a few logistical hoops to jump through, she could get started right away."
What started as her intent to just make sure every girl who wants to go to prom, can afford do, has turned into much more.
Her goal is to have this as an ongoing collection and hopes to one day turn it into a nonprofit organization after she pursues a degree in nonprofit administration. Her nonprofit will be a place where girls can come for the basic necessities: someone to talk to, counseling services and a safe place. “I want it to be a place where young girls can focus on the future and prepare them with real life goals and helping them get there.”
These are the kinds of stories that remind Principal Csank on a daily basis of why VASJ is so important to the students, the community and the future.
"The best part about this idea is not how it directly relates to our mission, which it does, of course, but rather that this came from one of our students,” Csank says. “It was not school or teacher-driven. It was driven by Ashley. It shows that the morals and values that we instill in our students every day has taken root. Students taking the initiative, putting others before themselves -- that's what it's all about here at VASJ."
