Prom: Worth the Ticket?

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Samantha Pierotti, Journalist

CdM’s Prom is definitely a luxury few can afford. ASB spared no expenses this year: the dance was set at the elegant Soka University, which can only be described as a hybrid between an art museum and a night club. A dance floor, gelato stand, and silent disco greeted students as they walked inside, and if they ventured upstairs they would find a cheese bar, a chocolate fountain, a blackjack table, and a balcony with a stunning view over the Peace Pond. While this might sound like something out of a Gossip Girl episode, the general consensus was that the student body at the dance was underwhelmed and unimpressed. But why? Was there something wrong with the venue, or is that just the mentality of CdM students?

Prom itself is presented to high schoolers as the holy grail of teenage life by the media. High expectations sprout from the romanticizing of Prom night: it’s something that’s A Big Deal. This being said, there is a lot of excitement and preparation that goes into the night, and if these impossibly high standards are not met, the night is ruined. But what makes a dance fun? Obviously not extravagant settings or gourmet food, CdM students already had that. It’s the students that are there.

When asked about their favorite part of the night, no upperclassman said the dance itself. The pre-party, bus ride, or after-party were all the highlights of the night. This simplifies the situation; kids just want to go to a dance and have fun with their friends! “If I wasn’t with the people I was with, I wouldn’t have had a good time”, says junior Phoebe Alva, “the energy was pretty low and no one really danced. My friends and I made the best of it and still had fun, though.” This goes to show that the dance really was what people chose to make it. Even Kathy Scott can’t force a student to have fun. However, when surrounded by her friends, Alva was still able to make the best of the night. “I feel like it’s as fun as you make it,” says another junior girl, “The dance was kind of annoying because everyone was there at different times and just wanted to go party afterwards.” The rush to the afterparty also puts a strain on the dance itself. If everyone at the dance wants to leave to go party, why come at all?

This brings up the point of if the ticket was worth the money. Most students said no. Although it was obvious what the money went towards (the venue, food, and DJ must have all been very expensive), students still felt like they didn’t get their money’s worth. This was likely because they thought they were buying an experience, not a ticket. They thought that a high-energy, loud, and crazy-fun night was guaranteed when they shelled over their 80 dollars. These impossibly high standards, which were met with a slightly above average dance, caused the nights downfall. “I don’t particularly feel like the experience was worth the price”, says junior Rowan Oliphant, “but I think I got most of my money back from eating the food.” Most of the students understood why they were charged the amount that they were, but thought that the money could have been spent in a more efficient way.

Overall, Prom night is fun. Getting ready with friends, taking pictures, and dancing on the party bus are all things that make the night one to remember. But the dance itself is a wildcard; it’s truly up to the individual to ensure that they have a good time. The saying that money can’t buy happiness rings true in this situation: no amount of money can buy a good prom night.