Two lucky Warwick teens got a full head-to-toe makeover just in time for prom season, courtesy of J.C. Penney’s Head to Tow Prom Outfit giveaway promotion, on April 3.

The students, one male and one female, got to have full run of the department store’s prom section, having their choice of formal men’s attire and glamorous prom gowns, along with an included day-of makeup (from the in-store Sephora boutique) and hair appointment (from the J.C. Penney Salon), as well as professional photographs.

“Last Thursday they called me down to the office and told me I won a raffle. I didn’t even know it was a thing,” said Christine Isabel Tack, a Toll Gate junior who won the package. “I had planned to go to prom, so it was a really nice thing. It was pretty lucky.”

J.C. Penney worked with Toll Gate principal Candace Caluori and let them figure out how to choose the lucky winners. The school opted for a raffle. The male student who was chosen could not be publicized due to privacy concerns.

“This is a grassroots effort to partner with an ‘adopted’ school, which was Toll Gate High in Warwick,” said Paula McCarthy, salon leader at the J.C. Penney Salon. “J.C. Penney is making efforts to support our community.”

This is the first year J.C. Penney has organized this giveaway, McCarthy said, and she encouraged students to stop by the store for other deals on prom attire, which is on May 11 for Toll Gate students.

“Christine looked beautiful in her choice of attire, our gentleman will be in at a future date to complete his prom package,” she said. “The prom event has grown from year to year…We also invite any students from any school to stop by for our special offers on prom dresses and hair styling.”

Tack’s mother, Ana Espinoza, was very thankful for the event. She said that, in total, the whole package of the dress, hairdressing and makeup the day of prom equaled about $400.

“On my part all I can say is thank you to the school and to J.C. Penney's for this gift to my daughter,” Espinoza said. “It's a great thing they are doing for our young community and I'm very grateful. Christine's a very intelligent, talented young girl that I'm blessed to call my daughter. I'm very proud of her as a person and for all her achievements.”