The Student Voice

The student news site of University Academy Charter High School

The Student Voice

The Student Voice

Polls
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.

Seniors cut down prom costs

by Marina Keryakous

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Senior C’Shae Bess-Perez trying on a dress for senior prom. The price is $120 at Macy’s. Photo by Moriah Santana

The average American household will spend $978 on prom, a 14 percent decrease from last year, according to a nationwide survey conducted by Visa credit cards.

Senior advisor Joseph Timpanaro said he is trying to help seniors save money while having fun before and after prom.

“Prom gets expensive, that’s why I encourage students to start paying dues early so they can enjoy their time and save money,” Timpanaro said.

Story continues below advertisement

With the help of the Parent Teacher Organization, Timpanaro was able to invest some of the dues from the seniors who wanted to participate in festivities such as the party bus to help them save money on transportation to and from prom.

“The party bus was coordinated with a lot of help from a PTO parent,” Timpanaro said.

The party bus costs $4,000 for 40 people, which breaks down to $100 per person.

“We are charging $80 per person and fundraising the rest,” Timpanaro said.

With this option, students are saving money to put to use on other expenses for prom.

“It’s cheaper than renting a limo to prom, then I can use the money I saved for the other things I actually need for prom,” senior Imani Brown said.

Senior Deandre Lewis said he thinks the price is reasonable.

“It’s easier than paying for a limo,” Lewis said. “Also, we get to be with all of our friends.”

Timpanaro said that seniors have had a lot of fundraisers throughout the year to help them raise money for prom and the graduation party.

“We are fundraising via selling Krispy Kreme donuts, cookie dough, dress down days, etc.,” Timpanaro said. “These are all to help raise money for extra expenses like the graduation party, senior trip and inflated prom costs.”

Timpanaro said the party bus would give students the option to pay less and give structure to what they want to do.

“Seniors always have problems coordinating limos, so the party bus cuts their costs and gives them a structured plan to do what they want,” Timpanaro said.

Senior Sabrina Aberin said she is riding the party bus to prom and saving money on her dress.

“The party bus is how me and my boyfriend are getting to prom, and I found a really nice dress for a decent price,” Aberin said.

Senior Imari Faulkner said her hair, dress, transportation and shoes amounted to no more than $600.

Faulkner said she saved money by using coupons to buy her shoes from the Designer Shoe Warehouse and bought an inexpensive dress and made alterations to it.

“My dress cost $40 off of eBay, and $125 all together, after I took it to a tailor,” Faulkner said.

However, some seniors are going all out in spending money on their prom night.

Senior Sky Minor said although she is excited for prom, she has been going way out of her budget for her prom costs and it has become difficult for her parents. Minor said she spent almost $900 just for her dress.

Senior C'Shae Bess-Perez trying on a dress for prom. Dress is courtesy of La Chateu for $150. Photo by Moriah Santana
Senior C’Shae Bess-Perez trying on a dress for senior prom. Dress is courtesy of La Chateau for $150. Photo by Moriah Santana

“I’m excited because I’ve invested so much for this day and on my dress,” Minor said. “It has become difficult on my parents because when I need something I have to wait until they get paid again.”

Minor said she has been to prom before with other schools, but, because this is her prom, she values it more.

“It’s a special day and a once in a lifetime chance,” Minor said. “Even though I went to prom four times, this is my prom and I’m raising the bar by trying to out-do myself from all the other times I experienced it.”

To help seniors avoid arguments about where to go after prom if they don’t have a plan, the PTO helped book an evening at Copacabana Club, according to Timpanaro.

“The price of a regular ticket for the club is $40 and $60 for VIP,” Timpanaro said.

Senior Quentin Wright said the club is a good option for the senior class, especially because people usually don’t know what they’re going to do after prom and are on a budget.

“This is a good alternative for us because people are always indecisive about what they want to do after prom and most people don’t want to spend a lot of money,” Wright said.

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All The Student Voice Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *