Prom Pop Up Shop

Night on the Bayou: Reedsburg Students Deflate the Cost of a High School Milestone

By Anna Hirschinger and Tyler Asp

For many high school students, prom is a monumental milestone, but the price tag attached to the "night of a lifetime" has become a serious financial hurdle. As Reedsburg Area High School prepares for its upcoming prom on May 2—themed Night on the Bayou—the community is confronting a national trend of skyrocketing costs.

According to 2024-2025 data from retail analysts at Zipdo and Terry Costa, the average American student now spends approximately $818 to $950 on prom-related expenses. The most significant financial burden is almost always the attire; the current national average for a prom dress alone sits between $450 and $550. With designer gowns easily exceeding $1,000, nearly 29% of students nationally report that they have considered skipping their prom entirely due to the cost.

To ensure every student can experience this milestone event without the stress of a heavy price tag, the National Honor Society has launched the Pop-Up Prom Shop, a student-driven initiative that is overseen by dedicated NHS teacher leaders Mrs. Kate Czarnecki and Mr. Alex Luther located right in Room 129.

“The prom pop-up shop is an event that was previously hosted by the Boys and Girls Club, but last year was moved to the high school because a lot of people didn't know about the event,” explained NHS member Rylee Biermeier. “It's an opportunity for students who are attending prom to find dress clothes for free. Prom dresses and dress clothes are very expensive, so this allows students to find new or gently used prom clothes to remove the financial burden.”

The shop is designed to feel like a retail experience rather than a donation center. Biermeier noted that Room 129 has been transformed into a boutique featuring racks of dresses, men’s dress clothes, shoes, jewelry, and even makeup products. For those worried about finding something trendy, NHS executive board member Anastacia Benesh emphasized that much of the inventory is indistinguishable from what you would find in a department store.

“A lot of the dresses are new and still have tags on them or the shoes are still in boxes,” Benesh said. “So don't worry about not having something more modern.”

This marks the first year the NHS has taken full ownership of the project. For the members involved, it is a way to serve their peers directly while meeting the high standards of communication and community service expected of student leaders.

“Every member is required to help participate in some aspect,” Benesh said. The society has organized specific shopping days to make it easy for students to browse between classes without the need for an appointment. “We have days that will be open and there will be members there kind of manning the room and you can just go in during those times.”

As the Night on the Bayou approaches, the NHS is proving that a memorable high school experience doesn't have to come with a high cost. The shop will be open during Flex periods on April 8, 9, 15, and 16.