It is an important part of the high school experience - prom. However, for many students the costs of a memorable prom experience are beyond the family budget.

To help students make their prom dreams a reality the William S. Hart Union High School District opened its "Project Prom" boutique this week, complete with dressing rooms curtained in red satin and racks of new and nearly new gowns, tuxedoes and dress suits.

The shoppers are among 600 carefully selected students invited to participate, who make an appointment to meet with an adult "personal shopper" who helps the student select the perfect outfit for the upcoming high school prom, said Pat Willett, Hart district community liaison officer.

The Hart district is partnering with Assistance League of Santa Clarita Valley to make the prom experience available to high school seniors who might not be able to afford the special occasion. In addition to formal wear, the boutique offers shoes, handbags, jewelry and other accessories to complete each outfit.

Among those who have donated gowns to "Project Prom" is Shelley Hann of Westridge who took advantage of a "going out of business" sale to snatch up a rainbow of beautiful, new gowns to donate to "Project Prom."

"The owner gave me a wonderful deal and I was so excited to be able to donate these beautiful dresses to Project Prom," Hann said. "Every girl should have a beautiful dress for her prom."

Flair Beauty College is offering haircuts for the boys and glamorous styling for the girls. In addition, corsages or boutonnieres will be provided and Flair Cleaners has volunteered to alter garments if needed.

Prom outfits are available in two locations - at the Hart District's boutique on Centre Pointe Parkway in Santa Clarita and at the Assistance League's Take Two shop in downtown Newhall.

Together, the locations have hundreds of formal dresses in both long and short styles and a smaller assortment of men's tuxedoes, suits and formal jackets. A wide range of sizes and styles is available at both locations.

Project Prom is still accepting donations of new and gently-used formal wear, in good condition and in dry cleaner's bags. Tuxedos and men's formal wear is in the greatest need.

Prom dresses and men's wear can be dropped at any Hart District junior high (La Mesa, Sierra Vista, Placerita, Rio Norte, Rancho Pico or Arroyo Seco) or high school (Bowman, Hart, Saugus, Canyon, Valencia, Golden Valley or West Ranch), the Hart District office, 21515 Centre Pointe Parkway in Santa Clarita or the Assistance League Take Two shop at 24364 Main St., in downtown Newhall.

For information on "Project Prom" call Beverly Caduff at (661) 259-0033, Ext. 241, or Denise Miller at Ext. 242 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.