The All State

Media Credit: Lois Jones Members from the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority helped someone find a dress at "Operation Fairy Godmother." [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Lois Jones Mnay dresses were donated from several places from all over Clarksville. [Click to enlarge]

Cinderella sighed, resting her heavy head on a calloused, overworked hand and gazed longingly outside a dusty window at the castle glowing in the distance. She watched as her stepmother and sisters, beautifully dressed in the most elaborate gowns, cackled as they stepped with delicate feet onto the carriage that would whisk them away to ball. A single tear rolled down Cinderella's cheek as her attentions shifted to her own attire - her simple dress tattered and worn.

Every little girl, beginning at a very young age, dreams of the ball, well, in more modern fairytales, her senior prom. However, the preparations for prom can be costly and time-consuming, and unfortunately not all "Cinderellas" can make it to the dance. But every girl deserves the chance to shine, and just like Cinderella - every girl deserves a happy ending, and for that she needs her own fairy godmother.

"Operation Fairy Godmother" is that happily ever after that every girl hopes for.

For three years the Panhellenic sororities (Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Sigma Alpha and Chi Omega) have come together in the spring to help high school senior girls dress their best for the prom. This year the sororities spent over two and half months preparing for this charity.

When walking through the curtained entrance of the University Center ballroom, there was overwhelming abundance and diverse array of prom essentials one could possibly imagine. Lined neatly in several rows in the middle of the room were the prom dresses (all of which were donated - some by the sorority sisters themselves and some by local bridal shops). The collection of gowns was incredibly impressive - the high schoolers had an abundant amount of different designs, fashions, styles and fits to choose - all from this era. Furthermore, the sororities had also gathered a large assortment of shoes and jewelry so that the girls could complete their prom ensemble.

The head fairy herself and organizer of the event was Diana Inman, a junior and sister of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority.

This writer received the grand tour of the "operation," courtesy of Inman.

On a more personal note she explained exactly what philanthropy meant to her and the sororities. "It's just overwhelming. I myself went to school in Clarksville, and I saw so many girls not have the money [or] opportunity to go to prom. We're helping to give back to the community - to show them what were all about. It's just amazing," Inman said.

In addition to the dresses, shoes and jewelry, the girls could also win door prizes featuring free or discounted hair, make-up, and nail stylings.

As the investigation continued this writer also had the pleasure of interviewing Charlie Beth, a junior and Alpha Delta Pi representative, and Jessica Monfries, a junior Chi Omega and president of the Panhellenic Council. Each representative spoke about her own prom.

"Prom was real exciting. Everyone knows the dress is the most important part and that everything is downhill after that," said Monfries. She told a story from last year's Fairy Godmother about how a young girl left in tears, because she was overcome by her dress, the experience and compassion of the sororities. "It's so important. It's all about making it memorable and special for the girls," Monfries said.

Beth also shared similar emotions with her fellow sisters. "My prom was very memorable," she said. "Your dress is the big deal, the main event, that 'wow' factor."

Pausing for a moment, Charlie smiled and said that even after her graduation from APSU she planned to come back and volunteer for the event.

Standing in awe, gazing at the glittering gown falling to her slippered feet, Cinderella was compelled once more to tears - only this time from a joy that could only come from the kindness and selflessness of another year and of course a little "bippity-boppity boo."

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