From college applications to SATs, seniors always have a lot on their plate. In contrast
to those stressors, we have two big celebrations at the end of the year to look forward
to: graduation and prom. As one of the cornerstones of the American high school
experience, prom is something our school system often gets right.
However, this year’s prom hasn’t received the most optimistic reviews. Aside from
differing opinions on the theme, the main issue lies in the cost of tickets. This year, prom
tickets are priced at $135, compared to last year’s $80. On top of that, tickets can only
be purchased in cash during the school lunch period.
Many students, including myself, were unaware that there was a Revtrak payment
option earlier in the year—but it closed quickly and without widespread communication.
By the time many students learned where and when prom was, the online payment
option had already been removed. Each week that passes adds $10 to the ticket price,
which senior Ethan Rodriguez says “…makes it worse.” He also noted that “…not
everyone has access to that amount and cash,” making it difficult for students to gather
the money.
Concerns go beyond just convenience. Safety has also been called into question.
“It’s a lot of cash to carry into school,” senior Katria Diks said. Fellow senior Ant Gokul
echoed that thought, asking, “Why would the school want kids to bring over 100 dollars
in cash to school?”
Diks also mentioned that the class president had previously promised “…lower prom
costs,” which contradicts the current situation. While the accuracy of that promise is
unclear, the price increase compared to last year is undeniable.
Senior Janna Elsioufi summed it up, saying the “…price was already insanely steep” and
“…cash isn’t as widely used” these days. She added that the Revtrak option “…should
have been available for much longer.”
It’s important to recognize that Ms. Masters and the student council have a lot on their
plate as well. Planning and organizing prom is no small task, and increased ticket costs
may be due to an upgraded venue. The lack of communication likely played a big role in
the current frustration and wasn’t necessarily due to a lack of effort.
Still, the problems remain. Ticket prices are higher and out of reach for many, and
requiring cash payments makes access even harder. Better communication could have
prevented much of the confusion and inconvenience.
Despite the hiccups, I’m still excited. I’ve bought my ticket and am looking forward to
having a great night with friends. Hopefully, the lessons learned this year will lead to a
smoother and more accessible prom for next year’s seniors.
