For many high school girls, the Fall season means football games, spirit week, pep rally, parades, and most importantly: Homecoming. However, homecoming dresses can be pricey, and for some girls, the cost can hold them back from attending what some might call the best night of the year. Have no fear ladies, In The Glow is a non-profit organization that allows you to pick a dress from a wide selection…for free. On Saturday, Sept. 13, In The Glow held their 2^nd annual fashion show that displayed this season’s hottest picks for Homecoming 2014.

In The Glow is a non-profit organization that gives out homecoming and prom dresses for free to girls who may not be able to afford an expensive gown. The mission statement of In the Glow is “We believe each and every woman has an inner glow inside their hearts and minds. What each of us chooses to do with this Glow is what makes our mark on this world.” In the Glow not only gives away dresses, but also promotes empowered women making a mark in today’s modern society.

In the Glow was founded in April 2013 by Amber Kreisel, a local Bel Air resident and role model for teenage girls looking to find their “glow”. Amber created “In the Glow” in hope of helping girls find the dress they’ve always dreamed of for homecoming and prom, as well as to inspire young girls to empower themselves to make a difference in the world. In the Glow has adopted the slogan “Women helping women”, supporting the modern concept of feminism and equality for women in today’s society.

On Saturday, the fashion show commenced at 10:30 a.m. and girls watched eager to get a sneak peak at Homecoming 2014. Directly after the models finished their strut down the runway, dress shopping began. Girls from different schools across the county gathered to pick out their free dress for the upcoming dance.

“Every girl who came in to look for a dress left very happy with one, or even two [for prom]! With more advertising, In the Glow will continue to get bigger and bigger and will return for this year’s prom season!” said Amanda Graumann, Bel Air High School senior and model for the fashion show on Saturday.

Not only could girls who attended the show Saturday search for a dress, but they were also able to watch different presentations from women across the community. Mary-Kay make up was represented on Saturday, and gave a demonstration to the girls about doing their make up on the day of your dance, whether it’s homecoming, prom, etc. Kathy Wise of Harford County gave the teens a self-defense demonstration in hope to educate the young girls on how to help themselves if a situation were to occur where they would have to get physical with an attacker. Lastly, Sharonda Harden gave a demonstration further educating the girls about their make up as well as every day skin care.

Amber Kreisel, In the Glow founder perfectly sums up Saturday’s festivities: “Saturday’s event was perfect! The fashion show and models brought an amazing energy that continued throughout the day. Each girl who attended the event left happy and with a dress, some asked to take two dresses, one for homecoming and one for their upcoming prom. In the Glow was able to give away about 100 dresses this fall and as always we hope the word can spread to more ladies in the community so that we can give away more in the spring! The event could not have been a success without the dedicated volunteers—I appreciate them so much.”