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YOU’RE INVITED YOUNG ACHIEVERS

Project Prom Presents It’s 2nd Annual Fundraiser
GATSBY GALA ready for prom night. We provide dresses, tuxes, accessories,
and all the things that make prom feel special—because every
teenager deserves the chance to feel like a million bucks, no
matter their financial situation. To fund it, we throw an annual
“Prom Night” Bella Zoe Project fundraiser packed with music,
Project dancing, and a reason to wear something fabulous. This year, we
are having a Gatsby Gala on May 17th at Rustique Winery. Think
Put on your glad rags and join us for a flappers, glam, and a whole lot of fun—all in honor of the girl
Roaring ‘20s Soirée with wine, bites, and who never needed a reason to celebrate.
dancing! All proceeds support Project Bella may not be here to show up at her own party, but
Prom, a free prom attire giveaway that Prom through Project Prom, she’s still making sure everyone gets
gives local teens a night to shine! to have a night they’ll never forget. Bella taught me that prom
Honoring the memory isn’t just about the dress or the pictures—it’s about the joy,
Attendees must be 21 yrs. or older. of Bella Zoe the laughter, and the memories you make. We’re carrying that
lesson forward, helping others create their own
May 17th from 7-10 PM unforgettable moments. Through Project Prom,
Rustique Winery BY SARAH LYNCH, PINE CANYON we’re making sure no one misses out on that
1010 River Road, Salinas special “Bella” feeling—the one that makes
every moment feel like a celebration.
For tickets, sponsorship and more
information go to projectprom.org/events. ella was the kind of person who could turn a
Brandom Tuesday into a full-blown celebration.
She never needed a reason—just people, music, and If you would like to be featured as a Young Achiever or know someone who is perfect for this spot,
the slightest excuse to dress up. If there was a theme, contact Laurie.Martin@n2pub.com or call 272-4620.
even better. When she walked into a room, the energy
shifted. She was a 4’11” Greek bombshell with a sense
of style that could make any outfit look effortlessly
chic. Straight A’s were never a priority for her, and
school didn’t come easy. But she had something far
more important: an ability to make everyone around
her feel seen, heard, and alive. She was the first to
crack a joke, the first to get everyone dancing, and the
last one to leave a party. She was a walking reminder
that life was for enjoying, not stressing. I’ll never forget
our first middle school tennis match. She showed up
with a racquetball racket—completely unbothered. We
lost every match, of course. We laughed hysterically
and had a great time, just like always. My dad watched
from the sidelines, shaking his head at us, probably
wondering how we managed to turn a competitive
match into a comedy show. But that was Bella. She had
this incredible ability to make even the most serious
moments feel light and full of joy. Losing Bella on April
9th was like losing the sun in the middle of the day.
But if there’s one thing she wouldn’t forgive me for, it’s
letting the fun end with her.
The idea for Project Prom actually came from her
mom, Susan, after realizing just how much Bella’s
spirit lived on in the little moments. On the last night
of Bella’s life, she gave away her favorite prom dress
to a girl who needed one—no hesitation, no second
thoughts. She even texted her afterward to make sure
she had everything she needed, offering to drop off
accessories if necessary. That’s just who Bella was.
Project Prom is a nonprofit created in Bella’s memory
to help high school students who need assistance getting

20 March 2025 Greet HWY 68 Loop 21