By Loren Hughes

Staff Writer

Every girl dreams of going to prom in their fancy dress, styled hair and shiny high heels with their date and friends in lieu. But do the price tags and dollar signs ever wedge their way into that fantasy, enough so to make a girl rethink her idealistic prom vision?

Each year, the senior class struggles with raising enough funding to meet the prom budget, which is around $55,000 this year. Meeting the prom budget not only means cheaper tickets for attendees, but also more money to spend on the many other components within the prom equation.

“It is normal for the senior classes to not have the $55,000 that’s needed each year,” senior class sponsor Shelly Redding said. “Seniors are only allowed to do two fundraisers a year, the talent show and senior class T-shirts, and right now, this senior class has between $4,000 and $5,000.”

Although the senior class can only have these two fundraisers in its final year, the proceeds from the fundraisers done in earlier years are also included in the grand total. This year’s senior class attempted a pen fundraiser during its junior year, whereas classes in the past have attempted selling salsa, wind ponchos and cookie dough.

Graphic by Natalie Hill.

“The limit to fundraisers is only two a year because it’s really about fairness,” CHS Dean of Instruction Gina Peddy said. “Ten years ago there was no limit, and the ideas duplicated and there are just only so many products to purchase.”

Many may wonder why prom is so expensive – it’s simply due to the fact that a lot of considerations are applied into the planning process. Expenses include the venue, which will be the Dallas Trade Mart this year, along with decorations, food and entertainment.

“So far, the cost of tickets will be between $85 and $100,” Redding said. “I have to wait to get the bids from the different companies and I have to compare who will attend to what amount of money we have already before I can determine the total cost of the tickets.”

In the years past, tickets have been allotted a certain week of sales, such as $85 in the first week, $95 in the second week and $100 in the third week.

Even though $85 is the lowest amount this year’s senior class will be spending on its tickets, it is in no way low by any means. According to USATODAY.com, the average prom dress ranges between $150 and $500, while the average tuxedo ranges between $70 to $250.

Aside from the fashion aspect of prom, accessories, such as shoes and jewelry, on average can range anywhere from $10 to $400, and getting a fashionable hair style at a salon can range from $40 to $150.

Some would say the gentleman should pay for the transportation, food and tickets, along with his potentially pricy tuxedo. This means that the guy could pay anywhere from an average of $90 to $1,500 for a simple limousine ride.

These high prices are enough to startle anyone, and for some students, the high costs have led them to opt out on attending their one and only high school prom.

“The only thing I find fun about prom is the dressing up aspect. My friends and I are planning to dress up, not necessarily in prom wear, but essentially cute dresses, and exploring downtown Dallas,” senior Krysia Garcia said. “We’re going to hit the Nasher, the aquarium and find a nice restaurant to eat at where we can avoid the prom crowds – the best part about it is all the money I’ll be saving.”

Graphic by Natalie Hill.

For other young women who feel that the cost of prom is way too much for their budget, English teacher Brynlea Taylor decided to help them avoid those high numbers. She has taken on a new project called Project Prom, in which teachers will be able to make their old prom dresses available for students to borrow and return in their former condition.

“I really just had a heavy burden about girls not being able to afford a dress during prom during these hard economic times,” Taylor said. “Every girl deserves to feel like a princess on prom night.”

Despite the harsh reality of the economics of prom, there are ways to avoid high prices by continuing to fundraise year by year, and even by participating in Taylor’s Project Prom.

“Ask yourself, what fundraisers have you participated in over the last four years within your grade level?,” Senior Class President Mac Vu said. “Be a prudent spender, but spoil yourself and the special guy or girl you are going to prom with. Make it the highlight of your senior year.”