Ashburton College Ball party-goers from 2017. Photo supplied.As the Ashburton College ball approaches tonight, anticipation levels are running sky high.

But few will be as excited today as Brooke Hooper, a Year 12 student who will be enjoying a top-to-toe ball package for free.

Earlier this month Hooper was announced as the recipient of a Seeking Cinderella competition run by six Ashburton business owners wanting to ease the cost and stress for parents and ball-goers.

Hooper will be beautified with a spray tan from Pure Bronze Tans and hairstyling and makeup courtesy of Tanglez Studio, then receive an evening bag from Style Footwear, a flower corsage to match from Samantha Rose Florist, and have her special night captured on camera with a photoshoot from Emmily Harmer Photography.

She was also offered a hire ball gown from Dress Collective, but has opted to wear one of her own.

Hooper’s entry stood out because she didn’t want to put pressure on her family, said Dress Collective owner Melissa Ross.

“She’s so excited.

“She was over the moon when we told her she had won,” Ross said.

Also dishing out a range of goodies to help students get to the ball is the Once Upon a Time project, launched last year.

Five recipients will receive dresses, homemade corsages, makeup, handbags and hairdressing packages from Minx and Tanglez Hair Studio, courtesy of organisers Louise Duke and Kirsty McGlynn.

They have also paid for six students’ tickets.

The ball will take place at the Ashburton Trust Event Centre and is themed Paris by Light.

For ball committee leaders Liv McCrea and Joe Danielson, it will be the culmination of weeks of preparation and hard work.

By Katie Todd © The Ashburton Guardian - 29 June 2018