Jessica Foster
Staff WriterThere were no pastel colors, no satin, no taffeta, no lace involved in Sarah Anelloís prom attire. The Forest Lake High School senior instead chose to be clad in meaning, in memory and in tribute.
Anello wore a camouflage gown in tribute to her uncle, staff sergeant Jim Schaar of the United States Army National Guard. Schaar is actively serving his country and is stationed in Iraq.
ìIt sort of just popped into my head,î Anello said of her camouflage dress. ìI wanted to do something back home while he was out there.î
In order to make the dress a reality, Anello enlisted the help of grandmother Jody Hornburg.
Hornburg jokes she has been sewing since she was a kid herself.
ìI was glad she wanted me to help,î Hornburg said. ìShe picked the pattern, she picked the material, she knew what she wanted.î
The dress was completed in one day.
ìWe didnít have lunch that day, I didnít make dinner that day either,î Hornburg said.
Anelloís mom, Gyl Anello admits she wasnít keen on the camouflage dress at first, but she never expected her daughter to wear something frilly. But when she learned it was in tribute to Schaar, she was proud of the decision.
ìWe were just wondering how it was going to look but it actually turned out,î she said.
Hornburg agreed. ìShe made our family proud because of why she did it.î
The dress was accessorized with fishnet stockings, black open toe heels, and jewelry. Anello wore her hair in an up-do and carried a red, white and blue rose.
People who know Anello agree she is a true original.
ìI donít go with the flow of everybody else. I like to do things differently and make it more personal,î Anello said.
Schaar, emailing from the war zone, said he is honored by Anelloís tribute.
ìI am very proud of Sarah and the tribute she has shown at the prom. Iím honored that she would think of the troops here during what should be ëherí special night. Itís quite a bold statement on her behalf,î he said. ìI am also proud of her patriotism, as I have been involved in a few events with Sarah on that very subject.î
Two years ago, Schaar led the annual Walk for Peace, organized by Forest Lake youth. While he is thousands of miles away serving this country, the two continue to find ways to be a part of one anotherís life.
ìEver since I helped her learn how to walk, she and I have always had a special relationship. Iím not sure why. It may be because Iím the only soldier sheís known and she has always respected that. She is a fine example of true Americanism and I appreciate that in such a young woman. She has always been special to me, and always will.î
At school and in the community, Anello is involved with Students Against Destructive Decisions, PACER Puppets, Youth Advisory Board, Youth Advisory Council, worked at the Teen Center and is involved with a youth group at her church.
Ask Anello and she can say how many weeksí days and hours remain until graduation day. Next fall, she plans to attend Augsburg College in Minneapolis. She plans to major in dance, youth and family ministry or criminal justice.
An article on Anelloís dress ran in Saturdayís St. Paul Pioneer Press. And as Anello arrived at the prom with a handful of friends in a holstein printed school bus, they turned heads.
ìNone of the girls had a dress like mine,î Anello boasted.
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