Dawn Delirium Fashion Show a community effort

Nearly 200 Oceanside students, faculty and staff took to the runway on March 2 for the 25th annual Dawn Delirium Fashion Show, which raises money for the high school’s heralded post-prom party.

The event, during which the makeshift models fundraise by donning tuxedos and prom gowns for hundreds of community members each year, began two years after the inception of Dawn Delirium, meant to give seniors an alcohol- and drug-free environment to celebrate.

The late-June after-party historically held at Warehouse 5 in Island Park costs about $35,000, according to Jodi Katz, chairwoman of the fashion show, and offers students food, fun and “dorm-like prizes” to be used in college, including most notably, a new car. The night is free for all graduating seniors and their dates, Katz added.

The array of dresses for Oceanside High School’s show were provided, for the first time, by the Long Island Volunteer Center through its Prom Boutique, which distributes prom and graduation gowns to girls who need them. The non-profit organization reaches out to guidance counselors, youth organizations and social workers, then schedules collection dates and locations, and holds distribution events to invited groups throughout April and May.

Snider’s Formal Wear in Oceanside provided more than 60 tuxedos for the male models, who each visited the store a few weeks before to be measured. Stu Snider, the owner, who has one child at the high school and one who already graduated, said he has been happy to help the cause for the last five years.

“I just think the event is a great event for the kids; they love it,” Snider said. “Every year, more kids get involved.”

A few days before the show, senior girls gathered in the high school cafeteria to try on prom dresses and select the one they wanted to model. More than 100 girls walked the runway during the fashion show, and guest models included Schools Superintendent Dr. Phyllis Harrington, and principals Gerri DeCarlo and Brendon Mitchell.

Twelve BOCES students, along with local salons and makeup artists, volunteered to help the models with hair and makeup during the community effort.

“It’s the most fulfilling thing to see these kids so excited, so happy and having so much fun,” Katz said. “They really know that they’re raising money for their party.”

The organization allowed the girls to keep the dresses, but many gave them back, Katz said. Instead, many of the district’s students and mothers teamed up to collect about 50 gowns to donate to the LIVC.

“The kids are learning about raising money for their own party, and giving back to other charitable organizations,” Katz said. “It’s exactly what we want them to learn.”