Oliver Ames is hosting the second annual Formal Wear Drive on January 21st to January 23rd from 12:00-2:00 PM. It is now being held after Mid-Years, so it has become more accessible to students, rather than being after school hours.
Georgina Englishby, the director for the Formal Wear Drive last year, is also a leader on the DEI PAC. This group of parents is dedicated to helping the whole community become more inclusive.
“The committee works by listening to students’ lived experiences and, in response, promotes awareness, plans events, organizes collections, and may engage in fundraising. Our goal is to help ensure that all students have an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive experience throughout their high school years,” said Ms. Englishby.
Ms. Murphy is a special education teacher here at OA and the StuCo Co-Advisor, along with Ms. Kenny. She had a very impactful role with organizing this event for the past few years and has seen the positive changes since the creation of this event.
“I think having this in combination with our Take What You Need Closet is helping to combat fast fashion and help with the environmental impact of clothing waste, save money because prom clothing is so ridiculously expensive, and to help each student get what they need without any stigma surrounding it,” Ms. Murphy said.
Along with all the hard work of Ms. Murphy, there are many StuCo students that are helping to prepare for this event. Olivia Strom is the 2025-2026 Student Council Service Officer, which is part of the StuCo executive board. This is her first year in this position.
“I do not know much about my responsibilities yet, but for the food drive I played a big part in preparing collection bags, hanging informational flyers, and making announcements on the intercom. I assume my responsibilities will be similar for this event,” Oliva Strom said.
As this event has been going on for two years, Ms. Englishby was allowed to see the event grow. There is an ever-growing staff including many parents, students, and staff here at OA. With the staff still growing, they are hoping to gain awareness for this event.
“Last year, our community showed up in a big way. We collected an incredible selection of prom dresses and formal wear—many of them brand new or barely worn. The generosity was overwhelming, and the store was filled with stunning pieces to suit every style. Everyone who attended was amazed by the volume, variety, and quality of what was available. Students walked away with beautiful dresses, outfits, and shoes—often brand new—ready to feel confident and celebrated,” Ms. Englishby said.
Ms. Coplan worked very closely with the DEI PAC during this event last year. You may know her name from all the posts on Student and Parent Square, but she is one of the secretaries here at OA. She has seen the progress from this year to last year, and she is very proud of how far the event has come.
“The event was held later in the school year, and many students had already purchased formalwear for spring and summer events. Additionally, it was a one-day event held on a quiet Saturday, which limited student attendance. Based on those lessons, we made intentional changes this year by moving the event earlier, extending it across multiple days, and holding it immediately after school. These adjustments have made the event more accessible and better aligned with students’ needs,” Ms. Coplan said.
To conclude, the annual Formal Wear Drive is hopefully going to be a staple event at OA to boost inclusivity. All community members and students are welcome to donate and also pick out new or used prom and formal clothing. As a plus, everything is free! This year is this most accessible year of the drive, as it is after Mid-Years.
“The mission of the Oliver Ames DEI Parent Advisory Council is to listen, support, and advocate for students from all backgrounds. We work to foster a school community where every student feels seen, valued, and included by amplifying student voices, promoting awareness, and supporting initiatives that create a safe, welcoming, and equitable high school experience for all. If there’s anything you’d like the DEI PAC to support—whether it’s a group, event, or new idea—please reach out. We’re here to listen, support, and help make things happen,” Ms. Englishby said. 
