BY MICHAEL NEWCOMER, Tarpon Springs High

No pocket protectors for her. Tarpon Springs High science teacher Cheryl Satinoff is more likely to be seen on campus rocking a leopard print dress, black leggings and shiny wedge slides.   •   So it’s no surprise that Satinoff believes every student should have the opportunity to be decked out in a great outfit for homecoming or prom. Every year, Satinoff spearheads a drive for donated dresses to give to girls who can’t afford to buy them. Often donors (many times other students, her daughter and Satinoff herself) respond with dresses that still have the tags attached to them. She hand-selects the dresses for students, taking into consideration a number of factors so the recipient will look stunning at the dance.   •   Satinoff offers tips for anyone looking for the perfect homecoming dress:

Tip 1: Make sure the dress fits your body type. You don’t want any bumps or bulges, or anything hanging out. “You don’t want to look like a hoochie mama.”
Tip 2: A color that looks pretty with your complexion is always good.
Tip 3: You need to have the proper accessories. “When in doubt, always go with rhinestones, but don’t overdo it.”
Tip 4: The shoes are extremely important. “Particularly if you’re wearing a short dress, you need to rock a nice pair of shoes.”
Tip 5: “When in doubt, always, always, always go with a simple black dress and accessorize it with rhinestones. That’s classy, any day of the week.”
Tip 6: “Make sure you pick a dress that you can eat in, and dance in, comfortably.”
Tip 7: The dress needs to be something that makes you feel pretty and confident, because it’s your night. Never settle for something that you think even for a second you’re going to feel awkward in. If it’s going to show too much, “you’ll constantly be yanking, and your jazz is going to be popping out. It’s not your fault you have monster boobies.”