Nearly 90 homeless high school girls get dream dresses for prom

LOS ANGELES (FOX 11) - Every little girl dreams of being a princess, and 86 girls got their wish on Thursday at a pop-up boutique at Emerson College.

"I have an image of me being a princess and I absolutely love it," said high school student Nathali Castro.

Colorful dresses, makeup-artists, hair-stylists and even tailors got them ready for high school prom. But the transformation wasn't just taking place on the outside

"Today for me, it means everything. It's literally the best experience of my life," added another student Davana Fraga.

The girls are homeless. The Assistance League of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Unified School District teamed up for "Operation School Bell" to give them nearly everything they'd need on their big night.

Mari Johnson, a senior at University High, said her parents lost everything -- including their home a few years ago. They now live at the Salvation Army.

"Every opportunity that is out there for me, I will take it," said Johnson, adding that Thursday's event inspired her to pay it forward in the future

"I think we appreciate the moment of struggle especially when we get older," she said.

After high school, Johnson's headed to study drama at California State University, Northridge.

Her dream is to be an actress. So Operation School Bell, wasn't just about prom. It helped her see that person.

"I just saw a different person - I was seeing the future me - and that's just going to carry on," said Johnson.

If you'd like to donate clothes or jewelry for next year, you can call the Assistance League of Los Angeles at 323 469 1973 or find out more at AssistanceLeagueLA.org.