The cost of a memory is priceless, but how much are you willing to pay? Five
hundred dollars for a two-hour car rental? One hundred and fifty dollars for a onetime wear dress or tuxedo? Twenty-five for a corsage? The list becomes endless with prices skyrocketing when it comes to prom.

Every year, high school seniors from all over the country graduate in the joyous spring months. The happiness strikes a cord, however, when parents see students proudly bringing home their high school diploma forms, along with order forms demanding money for prom and graduation events.

Senior Zack Newman from Centennial High School (CHS) decided that he is
going to prom regardless of the excessive costs. “I am going to Prom, and I hate how much it costs to go,” he said. “I know that I would regret not going, but going puts a serious dent in my wallet. I would love to know why it costs so much. There are ways to cut down on costs, such as driving yourself and eating at home. Those might not be as glamorous options, but they get the job done.”

Heather Mongilio, a CHS alum, is currently in her second year at American
University, where she is double majoring in Psychology and Print Journalism. During her junior year, Mongilio helped plan prom, and understands where the costs come from and why tickets are priced so high. “I prefer when I have to pay to attend a dance because it means more people get to go because the group paying for the party can spend more depending on their profits,” she said.

However, understanding the costs of the event won’t help some seniors foot the bill when it comes time to pay.

Meghan Coble, a senior at Centennial, was contemplating the idea of attending prom with her friends. However, Coble feels the demanding prices are a strain on some students, and can hold them back from attending these events.

“I think that the school demands too much money from its student body when it comes to ‘fun’ events. Prom and graduation are supposed to be enjoyable but it’s hard to enjoy yourself when you’re stressed out about ticket prices. The worst part of it is that I feel like the school takes the expenses lightly and just expects students to pay.”

CHS senior Ayesha Ahmad must not only worry about her expenses, but that of her twin sibling, Noor Ahmad. However, she still feels the actual graduation ceremony is important. “Of course senior graduation is necessary,” she said. “We have worked hard for the past few years and we only get one day to celebrate so why not. Though graduation gowns are way too expensive for just wearing them for one day. Plus, I have to pay double the cost because I have another sibling graduating with me. The cost should definitely be lowered”.

According to Ahmad, “The prom tickets are way too high, but you can’t do anything about it. The cost increases due to not having enough funding. So, if we had a lot of fundraising events, students would have to pay less”.

There are always advantages and disadvantages in choosing an option.
Companies are minting money off of graduation supplies. The hype for high school graduation has become so high that special, and expensive, frame designs have been made specifically for secondary education diplomas. Balfour is one of many companies profiting from this graduation hoopla. The company now creates materials ranging from custom made graduation announcements to thank you notes and graduation jewelry customized for each graduating class.

One must realize that, though high school graduation is important, it is merely the beginning of a long journey. So now you decide- do the advantages really outweigh the costs of prom and graduation?