‘Completely shocked’: Broward high school students treated to a free prom

Like many seniors at Davie’s Nova High School, Amaya Henry had prom on her mind.

Paying for a ticket wouldn’t be easy for the senior class. But the Fort Lauderdale student got a big surprise when she went to a school assembly on Thursday morning.

Nova High’s prom was fully paid for thanks to a partnership between Becca’s Closet, a nonprofit, and Macy’s.

“It was a surprise, so we were completely shocked,” said Henry, 18. “It was a blessing that everyone will be able to go to prom. Many people have financial burdens outside of school, so it’s a blessing to have this paid for.”

Becca’s Closet and Macy’s partnered to pay for Nova’s prom with a $65,000 donation. Nova is one of eight high schools that Macy’s Prom Fund will pay for this school year. Miami-Dade’s G. Holmes Braddock Senior High is another South Florida school that Macy’s just paid prom costs for through its fund.

“Prom is just one of those huge moments in a teen’s life, and it’s about those memories that they will create,” said Sam Di Scipio, senior director of social impact for Macy’s.

The fund has raised $600,000 to pay for high school proms and Di Scipio is hopeful it will get to the $1 million mark.

Becca’s Closet was started as a project by Nova High School student Rebecca Kirtman to help high students get dresses. Kirtman died in 2003 before she could graduate, and her mother Pam has helped keep her work alive.

Becca’s Closet donates dresses via a storefront at The Galleria mall in Fort Lauderdale. The nonprofit also has nearly 50 chapters throughout the United States.

Helping Nova students matters so much more for Pam Kirtman. She worked at Nova for more than 20 years as a college advisor and had the goal of making its prom free since the day her daughter died.

Seeing Nova students get emotional after the announcement on Thursday affirmed her work.

“To see their joy and relief and excitement was so rewarding, exhilarating and a testament to Rebecca’s memory,” said Kirtman, 67. “She loved that school and her friends and celebrating with them. Now this will happen for free.”

Nova senior Jayla Huntley-Murphy, 18, was glad that all of her classmates can enjoy the prom without having to worry about the cost. Tickets were $225 last year, according to the school.

“Sometimes, kids can’t participate in things because of costs and now not only can they go to prom for free, but then they can go to Becca’s Closet and get a dress,” the Tamarac student said. “Being able to come together as a class for prom and take that concern away means the world.”

This story was originally published March 26, 2026 at 5:29 PM.

Michael Butler

Miami Herald

Michael Butler writes about minority business and trends that affect marginalized professionals in South Florida. As a business reporter for the Miami Herald, he tells inclusive stories that reflect South Florida’s diversity. Just like Miami’s diverse population, Butler, a Temple University graduate, has both local roots and a Panamanian heritage.