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Tampa Teens Get To Dress Up For Inauguration

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By CLOE CABRERA

ccabrera@tampatrib.com

Published: January 16, 2009

TAMPA - What does a teenager from Tampa wear to an inaugural ball?

It didn't take long for Kristina Sutor to come up with something. She quickly settled on a royal blue halter-top evening gown Thursday as she and five other teens from the Jim Walter Interbay Boys & Girls Club shopped for a D.C.-worthy wardrobe at Macy's at WestShore Plaza.

"I feel beautiful in it," said Sutor, 14, smiling as she stood outside the dressing room. "I just knew this was the one when I saw it."

On Sunday, the six students will travel to Washington to attend several inauguration events, courtesy of the Stafford Foundation's People's Inaugural Project. They'll represent the Boys & Girls Club at the swearing-in ceremony, the parade, a luncheon and the Inaugural Youth Ball.

The students were chosen based on community service and leadership skills, said Shervin Rassa, the Jim Walter Interbay branch director.

Each one got a $500 gift card from Macy's to help buy an outfit for the ball and anything else they need for their trip. They also got a surprise set of luggage.

Sutor's mom, Teresa Skipper, nodded her approval when she saw her daughter's choice. "It's very appropriate and not too revealing. It's the inauguration, but she's only 14."

Even more thrilling for the pair was the gown's $84 sale price. "I still have lots of money left for shoes, jewelry and other stuff," said Sutor, a ninth-grader at Robinson High School.

Jennifer Tran, 16, was looking for something cute, too, in her favorite color, blue, for the inaugural ball. She rifled through racks of long and short dresses by BCG, XOXO, Sele and Guess, with no luck.

"I still can't believe I'm looking for something to wear to the presidential inauguration," said Tran, an eleventh-grader at Plant High School.

Amari Bennet, 15, didn't come up empty-handed. With help from her mother, Cornelia Wright, and her godmother, Agertha Byrd, she found a smart-looking flared skirt and sweater she will wear to the luncheon. She also bought sweaters and a pair of boots to stay warm.

"I didn't realize how much you can buy for $500," said Bennett, a ninth-grader at Jefferson High School. She plans to return to Macy's today to find a dress for the ball.

Even the boys were excited to shop for the big event.

Tyler Placeres, 16, knew exactly what he wanted: a leather jacket, and he found one that fit perfectly.

"This is nice," sighed Placeres, checking himself out in the mirror. "I really like it."

The eleventh-grader didn't like the price, however. "It's $400!" he said, holding up four fingers before moving on to the suits.

For Cody Crawford, 15, the big bash is all about coordination.

"We're going to walk into the inauguration ball with matching vest sweaters," the ninth-grader told his fellow Robinson High trip-mates, Devin Oliver, 16, and Placeres.

"It's a spur of the moment thing, but people should know we're together."

Reporter Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-7656 or ccabrera@tampatrib.com.

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