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District 60 “CATique” offers students the opportunity to look like a million bucks at a minimal cost.

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO)--  Milestones like Prom and Homecoming can come with stress and isolation for families that cannot afford formalwear. Students across District 60, and in neighboring districts have "CATique" to thank for offering elegance for a donation of $10 per dress. CATique is a student-run clothing concession with the feel of a high-end boutique located on the second floor of Central High School. Most of the apparel — cocktail and tea dresses, gowns, semi-formal wear — is brand new, or at the very least, has been worn only once or twice.

The generosity of community members, school and District staff, and Central alumni is the driving force behind the program, according to D60. The CATique works to fulfill its mission of inclusiveness with style and elegance.

We ask for a $10 donation for each dress,” said Shirley Arriaga, Central’s community advocate and CATique director. “But if a student isn’t able to pay, we won’t even ask for that.”

Principal Destin Mehess has been a vocal champion of the CATique since its launch. “This gives every student in either district the opportunity to come over to Central and pick out an outfit that doesn’t cost very much at all,” Principal Mehess said. “We are very happy to give students the opportunity to look good and feel good about themselves: attending a dance looking like a million bucks.”

“A lot of what you see here is from community members, who hear about our program and offer to donate,” Arriaga said. “And a lot of our dresses still have the tags on them. I mean, they are new. This particular dress, which is very nice, has a tag on it: it would have cost you $79 in the store.” 

The district's 2020 social calendar was hit hard by the pandemic, according to D60. Now, young women from schools are flocking to this unique shop in hopes of finding the right outfit for Homecoming.

“Unfortunately, we couldn’t have anything last year,” Mrs. Arriaga said. “But so far, we’ve been pretty busy. And as the word about the dresses gets out, business will increase. We have a lot of new incoming freshmen who knew nothing about the CATique and already bought a dress. 

For one Wildcat, the CATique has provided her with many good looks through the years.

“Most of the dresses in my closet are from the CATique,” the student explained. “I used it for Prom my freshman year, twice for JROTC Military Ball, and I tried using it this year, but it didn’t work out: so I had to go out and get my own dress.

“And every dance I attended in a CATique dress, I got a lot of compliments. A lot of this stuff is really nice to wear,” she said.

COURTESY PUEBLO D60

For the young men, there is a rack with sports coats, dress shirts and other items; at the same low price.

CATique proceeds have been donated to worthwhile causes, such as the Dorcy Cancer Center. This year, the funds are earmarked for Central’s Girls Cabinet, which in turn means the CATique – and event-goers from throughout the county – will ultimately benefit.

The CATique is usually open from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

To learn more, call 549-7300 or stop into Mrs. Arriaga’s office in the foyer of Central High School.

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Aubry Tucker

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