East Rockaway students to have their dream prom

East Rockaway High School Principal Joe Spero announced on Monday that East Rockaway juniors and seniors have won a very special contest and will be attending their dream prom.

“On behalf of East Rockaway High School, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude for the people at Rent the Runway,” Spero said. “After all of the adversity our kids have faced this year, I am very pleased to see that our juniors and seniors will celebrate the year in style.” Since Hurricane Sandy, the junior and senior high school students have been attended classes at two empty Baldwin elementary schools.

Rent the Runway is an online destination for designer dress and accessory rentals that wanted to “inspire positivity and empowerment in a community that was so greatly affected by the storm around such an important occasion to students.” The finalists were chosen by Rent the Runway’s Co-founders: CEO Jennifer Hyman and President Jennifer Fleiss; Rent the Runway’s Fashion Director Lucy Sykes Rellie, Teen Vogue’s Editor in Chief Amy Astley, and My Fair Wedding’s David Tutera. The finalists then rallied their communities, friends and family for votes and East Rockaway High School won based on the amount of votes they had. The other finalists were Pinelands High School, Toms River High School North and Atlantic City High School — all New Jersey schools.

Senior Molloy Bastow started the ball rolling by sending in her winning-essay to the company (see box for excerpts.) “As senior class president and the last Bastow in the East Rockaway School District,” Molly said, “I felt I had to leave one last mark on my community [to] which I will be forever grateful.” Molly plans to attend the University of Tampa, majoring in nursing.

Rent the Runway has partnered with Lancôme, Drybarand Men’s Wearhouse to provide the high school with a VIP styling party to aid in their selection of the perfect head-to-toe look, which includes:

Their choice of a designer dress compliments of Rent the Runway.

Tuxedo rental and fitting, compliments of Men’s Wearhouse.  

Hair and makeup services by Lancôme and Drybar 

Prom venue decorated and styled by David Tutera.

Surprise celebrity performance at prom.