Tucked away in a dressing room of the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center is the up-and-running Marshalltown High School (MHS) Bobcat Boutique, and it has been busy.

Serving as a place for students to borrow free professional and formal attire, along with accessories, the boutique has attracted students looking for prom dresses or suitable clothing for job interviews and music concerts.

The venture was the idea of a student who wishes to remain anonymous when she discovered that students did not have the means to purchase clothes. She went to Student Senate and Spanish teacher Charlotte Santana with her idea.

“This has been a great experience for me,” Sophomore Kennia Reyes said. “I want to thank Mrs. Santana for the dedication to students and the community. Without her, Bobcat Boutique would not be possible. Mrs. Santana made a team to make it possible.”

After the MHS Student Senate decided to move forward with the idea, they used $2,500 to begin and buy the clothing — dresses, shoes, ties, shirts, jewelry and more. Student Senate Sponsor David Santana said they went to second-hand stores to purchase the clothing and accessories.

“At normal stores, it was $100 to $200 per dress,” he said. “We went to stores like the Salvation Army and they had dresses for $5.99. That’s how we got so many dresses.”

With the MHS prom coming up next Saturday, April 26, formal dresses are a frequently requested item. Fortunately, Freshman Alina Santana said they still have prom dresses available, of many different sizes and lengths.

“We usually have people come in and pick out dresses during their study hall or whenever we have free time,” she said. “When they come in for their appointment, they can see what the personal shopper picked out for them.”

Alina Santana said the boutique uses the available resources to lend the clothes to students in need.

“So they’re not excluded from prom or job interviews or homecoming,” she said. “They get the same opportunity as everybody else does.”

According to Alina Santana, before the boutique officially opened, there were situations in which people needed clothes. Prior to having appointment forms prepared, those people were given the chance to get what they needed.

One student in particular needed attire for a job interview. According to David Santana, the student did not have anything to wear for an interview at one of the grocery stores in Marshalltown.

“He was looking for pants, shoes, a belt, a shirt, a tie,” he said. “He got everything and he did get the job.”

David Santana pointed out one of the benefits of the boutique is students do not have to travel to Ames, Des Moines, Ankeny or anywhere else in order to buy their clothing, saving gas and money.

“It’s right here, in this school,” he said. “That is the best part. They don’t have to travel or money to buy – it’s right here.”

Process

To make it easier to operate the boutique, students are asked to fill out an appointment form.

“Filling out the appointment form helps us manage what has already been picked out,” Alina Santana said.

There are flyers placed around the high school with QR codes to scan for the form. Included in the form are questions to break down what the student is looking for, providing details on the type of clothing, desired color and necessary size.

After the form is submitted, a Bobcat Boutique personal shopper picks out options, based on what the requesting student needs. Then the student can choose from the specific options presented to them.

Freshman Eden Rodriguez serves as a Bobcat Boutique personal shopper. She has encountered a few times in which they did not have the items a student was looking for. For example, someone needed a 9.5-size shoe, and they just did not have any.

When someone borrows from the boutique, there are a few rules to follow. Rodriguez said they must keep it clean. There is no firm determination as to how long an item can be borrowed, as it depends on the event the clothing is needed for. However, Alina Santana added if an item is not returned, that person will not be able to borrow from the Bobcat Boutique again.

According to David Santana, if there is a need for someone to utilize the boutique during the summer months, that can certainly be arranged.

“Anytime,” he said. “We have the key to open the door 365 [days a year.]”

Alina Santana said they are taking donations, such as a greater variety of shoe sizes. They will accept donations from anyone — students, stores and anyone in the community. A goal is to eventually make the boutique available to Miller Middle School and Lenihan Intermediate Elementary students, as well.

“It’s been really helpful for the community,” she said. “We’ve each gotten quite a few appointments and people seem really happy after they get what they need because they don’t have the resources at home. A lot of parents are really happy their children can get this stuff. A lot of people have been happy to donate because it’s a good cause. So, it brings out a positive side of the community.”

Marshalltown Community School District Director of Communications Abby Koch said the boutique also had support from the Arts+Culture Alliance and it has been a positive for the high school.

“This initiative poses the question to students at MHS, specifically the Student Senate, ‘What does Embrace the Lead mean to you?'” she said. “. . . Seeing the students work together on an idea that they felt passionate about within the student body is phenomenal to see. They really honed in on what Embrace the Lead means to them, and surveyed those they care about deeply.”

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.