Students Weigh in on the Cost of Senior Prom

By Alexandra Fernandes and Nia Gooden

Prom is regarded as one of the most important parts of the high school experience, where students get to enjoy a big celebration before they graduate and go off to college or enter the workforce. At NRHS, this high school rite of passage is highly anticipated, but comes at a high price. Senior prom tickets are $180 per person this year. 

According to some students, prom tickets are overpriced because of other expenses being made around the same time regarding college and things for prom specifically. 

Malachi Dodd, 12th grade, thinks, “That’s like way too much, like, we’re teenagers, we’re in high school, about to go to college, we don’t have the money for that.”

Sophia Caba, 11th grade, says that even as a junior not attending senior prom, “It doesn’t affect me, but…that’s a lot of money to be spending on a prom ticket when you have you get your dress, you have to get your hair done, you have to get your corsage, you have to get your heels, and then all of that- that's so much money- and college is coming up soon…” 

Brianne Baron, 12th grade, says, “Well… from the perspective of someone on the senior class board, I understand why it is 180 because we have to start charging tax so…there’s nothing we can do about it really… and I feel like getting to go to Chelsea Piers is such a unique opportunity.” 

Destiny Ruiz, 12th grade, believes that, “They’re fair due to the venue. I think the venue is like really nice…I think the price for the city is a good price.” 

Others agree that the ticket prices are fair considering the venue being Chelsea Piers, and Baron adds that, “food, the venue, decorations, photography, and tax” all go into the reason the tickets are $180.

Next, regarding the high price of the prom tickets, students were asked, “What’s the maximum you’d pay for them?” Dodd, 12th grade, admitted, “I don't really know, because it's not really my money.” Both Destiny Ruiz and Keyera Gordon, 12th graders, stated that the most they’d pay was, “180.” Terell Thompson, 12th grade, remarked, “Seeing that I'm going to pay $180, probably like 200.” 

Students were then asked, “Are you excited for prom?” to which the people responded with enthusiasm. In unison, Baron and Gordon answered, “Yes!” Ruiz answered, “I am excited for prom. I'm really excited.” Thompson said, “Of course, it’s going to be fun.” 

Finally, the students answered, “What have you heard about previous NRHS proms?” Ruiz informed us that “[I] went last year and it was really fun. It was the same venue.” Thompson had heard that previous NRHS proms, “were fun, they were cool. Everyone had a great time.” 

Through the interviews, it was apparent that no matter the price for prom, most students are still willing to pay to attend. Every student commented on the price being quite high, but recognized the factors that went into the cost. They all admitted that they were both going to and excited for it, content with paying the price for the one senior prom they get before the end of high school.