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On April 26, the Menlo-Atherton PTA’s “Diamond and King Prom Closet and Boutique” set up a salon to help about 30 students get their hair and makeup done for their soiree that evening. The program aims to give economically disadvantaged students access to free prom attire. Organizers served over 200 students during their previous prom closet event.
With the help of over 20 volunteers, “it was all hands on deck,” said Adrian Perkins-Sledge, who started the project nine years ago with her cosmetology club students. This year, four professional makeup artists volunteered for the evening, some who work for celebrity clients.
“Hair was definitely something new for the PTA to delve into,” said PTA co-president Paige Winikoff who was in charge of hairspraying and curling everyone’s hair.
“I think this year the prom closet and boutique were one for the books,” said Perkins-Sledge, who was happy to see the work and dedication of the M-A community, staff and PTA expand the program.
Volunteers turned the prom boutique into a safe space where students could enjoy a “VIP experience” as they got ready for the night. The PTA also had music, sparkling cider and snacks to amplify the party atmosphere.
The PTA set up an hors d’oeuvres table at the Menlo-Atherton High School Prom Boutique so students could snack and relax as volunteers helped them get ready for prom on April 26, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Economically disadvantaged Menlo-Atherton High School students got their hair and makeup done by beauty industry professionals and PTA member volunteers at a pop-up Prom Boutique held on campus on April 26, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Adrian Perkins Sledge, who started the prom closet events in 2015, curls a student’s hair at the Menlo-Atherton High School Prom Boutique on April 26, 2024. The pop-up boutique helps economically disadvantaged students prepare for prom. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Marina Wilkinson applies false eyelashes for a student at the Menlo-Atherton High School Prom Boutique on April 26, 2024. Wilkinson, a professional makeup artist, volunteered her time on Friday to help economically disadvantaged students prepare for prom. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney. 
Shu Rosenthal holds up a mirror to show a student her reflection after getting her hair and makeup done at the Menlo-Atherton High School Prom Boutique on April 26, 2024. Photo by Anna Hoch-Kenney.
The prom closet and boutique have grown to reach students outside of M-A and even the school district. In addition to helping East Palo Alto Academy and TIDE Academy students, they also helped a student from San Jose and another from Napa.
For next year, prom closet organizers are already expecting to receive more donations and a grant from Macy’s. Winikoff noted that they hope to receive more donations for suits and dress shoes for boys next year.
“There isn’t a barrier anymore,” said Perkins-Sledge, who was touched to see the project grow into what it’s become.
The PTA also organized a bus to drive the students to and from the venue at the San Francisco Design Center. Winikoff and her PTA co-president Shu Rosenthal also dressed up to supervise the prom. They enjoyed the night as they danced along to the “Cupid Shuffle” out of the students’ sight.
Winikoff and Rosenthal were excited to see so many of their prom closet dresses being worn on the dancefloor as over 800 students partied the night away at their Las Vegas-themed prom — with a special performance by an Elvis impersonator.
