Making Prom Accessible at Emerson LA

Exy is ready for prom and she’s even got the tiara to prove it. Along with the black and gold dress, dozens of accessories, a sparkly purse, glittery heels, makeup, and a rollaway luggage full of other goodies and swag. 

Going to prom wasn’t necessarily in the cards for her. 

“Where I came from, the low-[income] place that I lived in, I wouldn’t expect myself to be able to go to prom,” said Exy, who lives in Wilmington, Calif. “But having this opportunity to be here is really exciting.”

Exy was one of more than 100 female-identifying students who traveled to Emerson Los Angeles on March 14 for Prom Day. Presented by Assistance League of Los Angeles, and hosted by Emerson, Prom Day is an annual event that serves hundreds of high school female-identifying students from the Los Angeles Unified School District who are experiencing homelessness and are in need. Emerson last hosted the event pre-pandemic in 2019. 

Exy was one of two students from her high school attending the event. She found out about it from one of her school counselors. 

“This is a great opportunity for [the students] to be able to have some light-hearted fun, but also be able to make choices for themselves [about] how they want to show up at their last event for high school—prom,” said Reyna Rodriguez, a psychiatric social worker at Exy’s school. “I think it’s really important, especially for the population [Prom Day’s] serving. In a lot of their lives, they don’t feel like they have a lot of choice and a lot of control.”

After graduating, Exy plans to attend Long Beach City College, then transfer to Howard University. She wants to get a law degree and become a civil rights lawyer. Her favorite part of the day was attending an empowerment workshop, where she learned about how to advocate for herself. 

“There’s a lot of people that go through the same struggles as you that you might now know of in a room. It’s better to empower everyone around you and yourself, and to advocate for yourself, especially when you’re going into your adulthood,” said Exy. “Just because you’re an adult, you can still struggle.”

High school student Andrea made the journey from Canoga Park, Calif., to attend Prom Day. For her, “gratitude” was the word of the day. 

“I don’t really get these types of opportunities as much, but getting them is very special to me,” said Andrea. “I’m super excited. I’m so thankful.”

After graduating high school, Andrea hopes to become a mechanic. Her father, a Salvadorian immigrant, taught her about cars when she was young. By 8, she was working on automobiles herself. Now, folks in her neighborhood even ask her to do oil changes. 

“I like working on cars. I’m a really hands-on person,” said Andrea. “I feel like I’m one with the engine.”

Julia Tranfaglia ’18, a freelance producer/director, was one of the Assistance League of Los Angeles volunteers, helping girls like Andrea find the perfect prom attire. 

“I just really love being involved in my community and giving back,” said Tranfaglia, who’s from Boston. “LA is such an amazing city with so much potential, but ultimately it’s a community and people live here. And to just get to know those people and help is everything.”

It was Tranfaglia’s first time back at Emerson LA. 

“It’s really wonderful to see Emerson get involved. and open up its doors and spaces,” said Tranfaglia. “It’s kind of surreal being back, but it makes me feel a lot of joy and gratitude to have been a part of Emerson.”

Getting to meet the students was her favorite part of the day. And for Andrea, getting to meet Tranfaglia was her highlight. 

“I like meeting new people. I like seeing other people. I feel like that helps me grow as a person,” said Andrea. “I love this day. I love being with people here. I love people helping me out.”

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Check out Exy and Andrea on Emerson LA’s Instagram reel as they choose their prom wear.