University of the Cumberlands Students Donate 80+ Prom Dresses to Support Whitley County Girls

“Prom is such a staple in high school. It’s an important milestone in young adult life, and every girl deserves to feel pretty and have the chance to get dolled up,” said Ella Edington, a senior at University of the Cumberlands. 

For more than two years, University of the Cumberlands students Ella Edington and Abigail Wynn have collected gently used formal dresses, shoes, and accessories to support girls in need. With encouragement and organizational support from Cumberlands’ Civic Society, the pair recently donated more than 80 prom dresses, numerous accessories, and five new display racks to Whitley County Middle School’s Prom Closet. 

Their initiative reflects University of the Cumberlands’ emphasis on servant leadership, student engagement, and community impact in Williamsburg, Kentucky. Because of their generosity, girls across the region will attend prom with confidence. 

“Our prom closet serves students from multiple local schools. The service allows students to borrow items and return them after their event,” said a representative from Whitley County. “We wish to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Abby and Ella for their outstanding generosity, which will greatly benefit our students. Their actions demonstrate a commitment to going above and beyond.” 

From Personal Experience to Community Impact  

Ella, a political science major at University of the Cumberlands from Shelbyville, Kentucky, has been central to the project’s development. For her, the prom dress initiative began long before enrolling at Cumberlands. 

“I grew up going between my parents’ houses,” Ella explained. “There were times I didn’t have a lot of access to extra things, and that really impacted me.” 

Her childhood experiences shaped a desire to serve others. The prom dress concept came to life during her own high school shopping experience. 

“I thrifted my prom dress just for fun,” she said. “I noticed then that there is an excess of beautiful dresses that may end up going to a landfill. It was just crazy to me that something that can be so valuable to someone else could just be thrown away.” 

Recognizing both the environmental and social impact, Ella began collecting gowns, shoes, and accessories through thrift stores, yard sales, and community donations—transforming surplus into opportunity. 

Political Science Students Putting Learning Into Action 

As Ella’s idea began to take shape, it struck a chord with her friend and classmate, Abby, a political science and criminal justice major from Harlan County, Kentucky. Abby immediately connected with the heart behind the project. Growing up in Harlan County, she had seen firsthand how financial limitations could prevent students from participating in milestone events like prom.

“I originally planned to connect with someone in Harlan about our dress collection, but I knew Helen Daugherty at Whitley County and thought it would work out to partner with them since they are so close to Cumberlands,” Abby said. “It was a perfect opportunity because they were really in need of donations. Right after I contacted Helen, she called my dad and said she thought it was a move from God.” 

Both Abby and Ella are active members of Cumberlands’ Civic Society, a campus organization within the university’s history, political science, and pre-law programs. 

“Cumberlands’ Civic Society started last summer to work alongside students who are part of the history, political science, or pre-law programs but who do not plan to be active in official political capacities,” said Dr. Catherine Ball, associate professor and pre-law advisor at University of the Cumberlands. “The club aims to provide opportunities that allow students to be active citizens outside the official political arena.” 

The prom dress drive became a natural extension of that mission, demonstrating how classroom discussions about civic responsibility can translate into meaningful community service. 

“These ladies (Ella and Abby) have really been the driving force behind the dresses,” Dr. Ball said. “They figured out all the logistics — how they were going to clean and organize the dresses, how they were going to ensure a smooth delivery — everything.” 

Student Leadership in Action 

To pull off the initial donation, Ella and Abby used their own financial resources to purchase items they found at thrift stores and yard sales. While supported by Cumberlands’ Civic Society and additional donations from fellow students, the effort was largely driven by their personal commitment to serving others. 

For both students, the project represents the intersection of academic learning, servant leadership, and responsible citizenship.  

“I’m a political science major, so most of the content I learn is about community and being a responsible citizen,” Ella said. “The drive isn’t a political act, but it’s a hands-on way I can serve my community.” 

Abby reflected on how the initiative aligns with the university’s values. 

“To me, it’s about how Cumberlands promotes Christian values like servant leadership,” Abby said. “Anytime I get to serve and help people as Jesus did, I love doing that.” 

Student Life at University of the Cumberlands: Servant Leadership in Practice 

Through a simple idea and sustained commitment, two University of the Cumberlands political science students transformed excess into opportunity and compassion into action. Their work filled clothing racks at Whitley County Middle School’s Prom Closet while also reinforcing the university’s broader mission of community engagement, student leadership, and faith-driven service. 

At University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, servant leadership is more than a classroom concept. It is reflected in student organizations like Cumberlands’ Civic Society, academic programs in political science and pre-law, and in students like Ella and Abby who identify a need and take initiative to make a lasting difference.