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Angelica Estevez, going to her first prom this year, set out Thursday night to find the perfect dress. The 18-year-old [featured below]said she had no idea what style of gown she wanted.

“When I see the dress, I’ll know,” she said.

Helping to narrow the search, was Miss New Jersey International Junior Teen crown holder Alexandra Pollera [shown below left], 15 of Manalapan. Their conversation addressed prints vs a solid color, length, cut, and the lines in a particular gown’s design.

There were try-ons and debates over bold colors and animal print designs Estevez chose a halter top style floor length midnight blue subtly speckled gown that totaled zero dollars.

Estevez was among the hundreds of teens to shop at Thursday night’s Annual Wish Upon A Prom giveaway event sponsored by the Charity Kings in collaboration with schools and other nonprofits.

Each year, the local nonprofit transforms Harold Daley VFW Post No. 1333 on Lake Avenue into a formal wear fashion house, complete with shoes, jewelry, handbags, makeup, and other accoutrements.

Event coordinator Sherrice Lyles [shown above left opening the event] said she started the annual giveaway three years ago as a way to relieve the financial stress proms place on moderate to low income families.

“I had to work to get the money I needed for my prom dress,” Lyles, 28, said. “I wish they programs like this when I was in high school. A prom dress can cost well over $350 and for low income families it’s a choice between paying a bill and paying for prom. We want to take that burden off of them by covering the costs of the large ticket items.”

Close to 1,000 dresses hung on department store racks sat in the midst of tables filled with the needed accessories. Once the teens chose their dress, volunteers offered free steaming services [below left], new this year.

Also new this year, were donations by Pennsauken Children Family Services, Lunch Break, the local Big Brother Big Sisters chapter, Rumson High School, the Asbury Park Next Door community members, and a collection from Asbury Park School District members as well as beauty products from Cover Girl and Conair, Lyles said.

The International Free and Accepted Modern Masons and Order of Eastern Stars members volunteered their time manning the tables, and Asbury Park School District members, Pollera, and National Garden Miss Pre Teen crown holder Malak Ayyash, 13, of Neptune helped the teen pick their prom dresses and sundries.

“I didn’t have much confidence before I ran,” Ayyash said. “Being a part of the pageant helped me make new friends and I got to go through the interview process and walk a runway. I learned a lot about myself.”

The two crown holders words advice for the teens like Estevez going to their first proms – be confident.

“No matter who you are or what you look like you can achieve your dreams,” Ayyash said.

“Be confident in yourself,” Pollera said. “It’s your night, have fun and don’t worry about anyone else.”

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