College Times

Media Credit: Ryan Ruiz

When it comes to prom most teenagers worry about the same basic things, what to wear, how to stay out past curfew or, more importantly, who to go with, but for many underprivileged teens, like those at Tumbleweed’s Center in Phoenix, a normal high school prom would not be an option.

Arizona State University honors organization Gamma Beta Phi and its vice president Nora Dillon have been collecting dresses to help these students enjoy Tumbleweed’s own prom at the Arizona Science Center.

Recently, College Times had a chance to catch up with Dillon and Tumbleweed graduate Kelly Geeter, 19, at the youth center’s prom dress distribution day.

College Times: How did you get involved with Tumbleweed?

Nora Dillon: My cousin is actually a social worker here and we wanted to do a service project to help kids out and they said you could throw a prom for us. This year they are doing it for anyone who has been involved in one of their programs in the past or is currently involved.

What has been the most rewarding part about this so far?

It’s just awesome giving these people a prom when that’s something they wouldn’t normally get.

Is there a way for people to get involved who aren’t in the honors society?

We are trying to get money raised so that we can get catering for the prom goers and also decorations and people to donate flowers or prom gifts. We would also love to have volunteers if people would like to help out.

Kelly, how did you get involved with Tumbleweed?

Kelly Getter: I got pregnant when I was 16 so I got my GED through them. I now work at the hospital and have been there for a little over a year. They helped me to become self sufficient, I live on my own. I take care of my daughter, everything is stable now.

Are you excited to be going to the prom?

I am excited because actually I didn’t get to go the prom when I was in the program, so now I can go to the prom and talk to the other girls that are in the program, because there are a lot of girls in the program that are pregnant or that just had a baby or that need help and guidance as far as where to go to get started.

Are you looking forward to getting dressed up?

I am excited to get all dressed up and go out and see all the other girls dressed up and happy, so yeah, it will be fun. It will be a really fun event.

For more information or to make donations contact Dillon at Nora.Dillon@asu.edu

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