Students from Columbus’ public high schools will gather at The Commons on Saturday for one of the most important events of their teen years: Prom.
They will do so wearing fancy dresses and hairdos, sharp tuxedos and suits, and sporting beaming smiles.
For hundreds of students over the decades, one woman has been instrumental in helping create a memorable moment: Momma Deana.
That’s how Deana Hillenburg-Holley, a 51-year-old Columbus resident, is affectionately known. For good reason.
She has voluntarily outfitted girls and boys for the spring prom for the past 33 years. This year she is providing attire for 59 girls and four boys. Hillenburg-Holley figures she has served served 400 students since 1985, with the help of other volunteers.
It’s become a year-round effort, finding people willing to donate dresses, and hairstylists willing to volunteer their services. Hillenburg-Holley solicits donations for restaurant gift certificates to give to students, to help with prom-night meals, and helps create bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres. She even helps with providing guests to accompany special-needs students to prom.
One might wonder what Hillenburg-Holley’s incentive is to provide such help for such a long time. It’s because she understands the situation.
Prom is expensive, and can be cost-prohibitive for many teenagers. Hillenburg-Holley once was in their shoes; she had to work hard to earn enough money to buy her prom dresses in high school.
Another reason she helps is emotional. Making the students feel pretty and handsome for an important night in their lives touches her heart.
However, this is Momma Deana’s last year helping students with prom. She’s turning her focus to other important priorities.
Her volunteerism with prom will be missed, but her legacy will endure as an example for others to emulate.
She has demonstrated a kind heart in helping students who otherwise may have missed prom due to their financial circumstances.
This kind of servant leadership is commendable. Such generous acts strengthen communities.
