As the Marketing and Business Development Director for Old Trail Village, I want to take a moment from my usually impersonal news posts to personally thank the sponsors and participants of today’s inaugural It’sMyProm.Org Safe Prom Fashion Event at the Old Trail Golf Pavilion.  We had hoped for 50-75 attendees, with perhaps 20 high school models, and our expectations for participation were exceeded in double!  The event today was experienced by over 150 attendees; ticket proceeds of which benefit It’sMyProm.Org, supporting the message of changing our prom culture to create a positive experience for our teens.

Although I participated as an event sponsor, I was touched by the experience of our young women who were models.  The messages about safe prom decisions - delivered by guest speakers ranging from teens to a board member from FOCUS Women’s Resource Center, to celebrity designer Johnathan Kayne himself - were the obvious reason for attendance and support by the audience.  What was also important and impactful for the young women participants was the experience of modeling beautiful gowns and hearing the applause and support of their family, friends, and peers.  Giving our young women the opportunity to experience an afternoon of strongly positive self-image building was magnificent. Providing our teen women with the absolute acceptance and inclusion of this fashion event - regardless of body size, look, or personal style - is a gift that all young women need and deserve.

I look forward to expanding this event for the coming year, including even more young people in this great event. Without the following sponsors, the event wouldn’t have been as successful, nor have impacted positively so many of our young people.

NBC29, Jim Price Auto Group, Anna’s Ristorante Italiano and Pizza, and FOCUS Women’s Resource Center sponsored our television advertising.  Trailside Coffee and CVille Concierge provided necessary support on-site in Old Trail Village for the event.  Cavalier Inn pitched in to provide a room for Johnathan Kayne, to save him from an even more exhausting schedule. Johnathan Kayne astounded me with his endless patience, good humor and care for the participants.  Chris Wilmer, Director of Miss Virginia United States, deserves the credit for bringing this event to Old Trail Village and running a great show.  Finally, Seth Van Hall and his crew at Old Trail Golf Club and Pavilion deserve great thanks for their efforts all day.

It has been a pleasure to participate in such a meaningful event.

Sincerely, Andrea Sarate McNeill