Members of the Morden class of 2026 had an opportunity to find that special outfit for their graduation celebrations.
Donated formal wear filled a room at the Access Event Centre earlier this month to give 2026 graduates the chance to pick out what they want to wear to their celebrations in June
The Evening of Elegance recently gave students and their families the chance to select from an array of donated gently used or new formal wear and accessories.
Organizers love being able to help create a memorable graduation experience for successful grads from Morden Collegiate as well as the Morden Adult Education Centre.
“I think it turned out really great … definitely a worthwhile event,” said lead organizer Tyler Sloan, who is a guidance counsellor at the high school.
This year’s event—the 17th—took place in a new location at the Access Event Centre.
“We were able to outfit 15 graduates with a dress or suit for graduation as well as accessories,” said Sloan. “We were a little bit down from last year, but I think last year we had an overwhelming response.
“Over the last five or six years that I’ve run this now, it kind of seems to ebb and flow,” he suggested. “It really depends on the student group and who’s wanting to come out or has a need.”
Sloan said the support of the community has been fantastic for the project every year.
“We had a great response from the community. Saban has been a great sponsor … they donate a bunch of stuff to us as well,” he said, noting as well that Shear Bliss donated a gift bag while volunteers from Morden Caring and Sharing helped provide some snacks and also aided with some of the alterations to the outfits. As well, the City of Morden donated use of the space of the evening.
Sloan noted it is always especially nice each year when graduates perhaps from the previous year donate their outfits back in support of the event.
“We have a big thank you to some of our local graduates … some donate their dressings or suits back,” he noted. “It’s always great to see the dress bags and the suit bags show up in the office … knowing they’re going to be going to a graduate to help celebrate that special day.
