2 Northeast High students are getting the Prom of Life

NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- It was quite a surprise for two Northeast High School students on Thursday.

The announcement came in the morning assembly that these seniors who wanted to go to their prom next month at the Bellevue, but needed a little extra help with expenses, will now be getting that help.

Luckily thanks to the help of the group "We Can Do Better". The small non-profit works to fight poverty and each year chooses two to three students, like these teens last year, for their "Prom of a Lifetime" program.

Recruiting donations and services from local businesses, the non-profit helps provide the tux, a newly designed dress, shoes, flowers, accessories, hairstyling, and a car, to students who need it.

Lakeia Williams from the We Can Do Better Organization said, "Senior proms are always very expensive. Gotten higher since I graduated 20 years ago. So a lot of children miss out on opportunity because parents cannot afford senior prom year."

Anthony Carter plans to study engineering in college. He comes from a single parent home and has been trying to earn money for the prom to help out his mom.

He said, "The prom is expensive, so I tried to sell candy."

Mirtha Liriano, a senior hopes to attend Penn State or LaSalle. Her family has fallen on tough times recently after both parents lost their jobs.

She says, "It's just so relieving. Cause my parents have gone through so much this year. They are really strong, but they can't afford many things. Especially now."

With these prom logistics taken care of, these seniors can focus on the fun of the evening. And for that they are grateful.

"It means so much to me. It's so great that I get to do this and be a part of it. And it helps so much. So much," said Mirtha.

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