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High School Student Gives Prom Dresses To Help Students Have Fairytale Evening

By Anita Oh

FAIRLESS HILLS, Pa (CBS) -- When it comes to prom night, Pennsbury High School has a bit of a reputation.

We were ranked the top school in America for prom," said Jessica Pingor.

"People go all out," Brittany Kuharcik, a Pennsbury High School senior added.

But the price tag can rip wallets apart at the seams.

"I've seen people get dresses up to $900," said Brittany.

That's where Pennsbury's Cinderella's Closet comes in. From prom dresses to shoes, even to tuxes, students can pick out what they need for prom and it's completely free.

Though Cinderella's closet started in 2004, this year there's a fairy godmother of sorts. Pennsbury senior Jessica Pingor donated all 25 dresses that she won as part of a national competition by dress company Alyce Paris.

To apply, she had to submit a short essay.

"My family is going thru a lot of stress because my mom is going through stage 2 Breast Cancer, so going to prom is not seen as a priority," Jessica said, reading a portion of her letter.

She wasn't expecting anything, but out of 5,000 submissions across the country, Jessica won!

"It's been a rough year for our family," said Jessica's mom Joanne Pingor. "Cancer came into our lives last year. It's not something you can control. I'm proud of my girl. It's a time supposed to be about her, and she's made it all about me. I'm very proud."

The company sent Eyewitness News this statement:

"The 25 Dresses Contest was created to find a representative of the Alyce Paris spirit. The founder, Alyce Hamm was a courageous and generous woman who encouraged those around her to be just that. Out of fifteen hundred entries, Jessica's essay was the one that stood out to us the most. With her struggles at home and her generous heart, we knew that she was the perfect candidate. We got to know Jessica more through her social media and saw the free spirited, kind and outgoing girl that she is which made our decision that much easier. Alyce Paris wants to empower women to do great things. In this case we empowered Jessica to make 24 less fortunate girls in her school feel like a princess, making Jess a true Prom Queen"

Jessica handpicked each dress to go along with this year's 'Great Gatsby' prom theme. And the only request she has?

"I just ask they get them cleaned after prom season and donate them back," she said.

Jessica, just like the company, has a motto about the special occasion.

"Every student should be able to go to their prom. Not everyone has a fairytale life but for one night, maybe they can have a fairytale evening," said Tara Fahey, an advisor at Cinderella's Closet.

They hope more students will be able to experience it, because of generosity like this.

Pennsbury's prom is scheduled for next Saturday the 21st.

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