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RANGE RIDER | SPRING-SUMMER 2018
H
SU’s hospitality extends to
more than just its international
and refugee students; it
also extends to people in the Abilene
community who are often overlooked.
Prof. Melissa Milliorn, chair and
professor in the Department of Social
Work, and her students extend this
welcome each spring to young women
from Child Protective Services who
are getting ready for their high school
prom. It’s a fun event with plenty of
glitter and glamour — all for free. The
girls come to HSU, and the college
students help them pick out a dress, get
their hair done and prepare for the big
event.
“We want it on our campus because
we want them to see that college is a
possibility. We want them to see that
college is not just about the classroom,
but also about the experience. And we
want them to know they are valued.
And, hopefully, throughout that day,
they feel their worth; that sense of who
they are, and that they are worthy,” said
Milliorn.
Each year there will be one profound
moment that reminds Milliorn why
this event is so important. This year she
told the story of one young woman who
came in and had a hard time finding a
dress that fit her. The HSU students did
their best to encourage her and kept
showing her more dresses that might
work. Finally, she found “the” dress.
Everyone could tell how excited she was
because she came out of the changing
room beaming and just twirled in front
of the mirror. That’s when Milliorn was
again reminded why the prom party was
another way to show Jesus to these girls.
“In that moment she saw herself as
God sees her. She saw her worth. She
saw her beauty. That is the moment we
are striving for with all of these young
ladies who come, that they feel loved
unconditionally, that they feel accepted
right where they are, for who they are.
For one day, they don’t have to worry
about all the stressors they have in their
life, because they have so many,” said
Milliorn.
The event allows the high school
students to get away from the labels
they are used to hearing — such as
foster child and ward of the state — and
allows them to hear another, much more
important label, child of God.
WELCOMING CLOSE TO HOME
Professor Mellisa Milliorn has been sponsoring a prom party for foster kids from the
Abilene area for more than ten years.
"THAT IS THE MOMENT WE
ARE STRIVING FOR . . .
THAT THEY FEEL LOVED
UNCONDITIONALLY"