Studio d' Maxsi ensures smiles with Operation Prom

Growing up as a young Lady in Ghana, Afua Sam experienced the real challenges of life. As a budding entrepreneur in the United States today, she also recalls the challenges of being an independent woman striving to make a living through her God given skills in this very competitive environment. Afua Sam has consistently featured her “Studio D’Maxsi “creations at various charity events. Her past experience formed part of the creation of her latest concept.

Her latest venture – Operation Prom is a project designed to create opportunities to deserving female students with a reward of a custom made prom gown. The main objective of this project is to boost the confidence of young Ladies with the aim of encouraging them to strive for better education to ensure a successful career in life. Participants would have to show; punctuality at school, dedication to school activities, be decent and well mannered and must have a 3.5 minimum GPA. Interested girls are also expected to write an essay in 500 words as to why they should be given the opportunity.

Quierra Walker of Baltimore Maryland emerged the winner of Operation Prom 2011. At 18 and a student of Eastern Technical high School, Quierra describes being the winnier of operation prom as a dream come true. In her words; “The experience I had having to shop for the “perfect” prom dress was one of disappointment and frustration. Being a tall young female with a height measuring at 5’11 can make it very difficult to find the perfect dress, with the perfect length, that fits in the perfect manner. When I was informed that I would be recipient of Operation Prom in which I would have a prom dress designed for me to own and wear to my senior prom, I was so thankful and overfilled with joy. Ms. Afua appeared in my life as an angel sent from heaven to rescue me from my stress and frustration and washed away all of my worries.”

Quierra Walker described Afua Sam as a compassionate and gifted designer with an amazing eye for top fashion. “She made me feel like the princess I always felt was inside of me.”

The Winning Essay:

My name is Quierra Walker and I am from Baltimore, Maryland. I am 18 years old and currently attend Eastern Technical High School. My prom date will take place on May 20, 2011. In August 2009, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. My first thought was that this couldn’t be true because she is too young. I really didn’t know how to react because my mother was the second person I was close to that was diagnosed with cancer. My grandmother was diagnosed with colon cancer when I was very young. Unfortunately she passed away a couple of years ago. It affected me greatly because I could always go to her for anything and it was even worse because she wouldn’t be able to see me attend my prom or graduation. She also wouldn’t see me grow into a young woman.

My mother being diagnosed with breast cancer brought my family closer. We all realized life is too short for childish things. The cancer helped all of us grow stronger in strength as well as faith. My mom became stronger because she knew she could rely on God to help her fight through the cancer. She is a one year survivor.

In October 2010, after my mom celebrated her one year as a cancer survivor, my family and I participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. We all walked six miles and it felt great because we were all walking for a good cause, and that was to fight against breast cancer. My mom also did a fashion show recently with other breast cancer survivors. I was so proud to see my mother walk down that runway with pride and confidence. Her walking down the runway brought back memories to when she was going through the chemotherapy and radiation. It brought tears to my eyes because I know she came a long way and I know God was by her side. I knew she was a miracle and I was happy to know that my dad and I have been by her side the whole way.

Throughout this ordeal I have been able to maintain good grades in school and I have maintained perfect attendance as well. I was recently accepted and enrolled in Howard University where I plan to major in biology with a goal of eventually obtaining a degree in forensic science. I know God has been blessing my family tremendously through this journey, and I know he will continue to bless me as I come to the end of my high school years and embrace the challenge of moving into adulthood.

The opportunity to have a dress designed for me to wear to my prom is unimaginable. This would be the icing on the cake for me and my family. I thank you for the opportunity to share my family’s story of triumph and I appreciate the opportunity you are giving me to express my desire to be the recipient of a prom dress designed just for me.