MOOR VS. MOOR: Is Prom Worth It?

JACQUELYN LOI
Staff Writer

Humanist photographer Mary Ellen Mark once said, “looking at my own prom photograph reminds me of how significant that moment was and how fleeting life is.” As the school year comes to a close, many seniors are looking forward to their own night at prom: a night of smiles, dancing and irreplaceable memories. Prom is an event that is representative of the high school experience and thus, should continue to remain an important tradition.

Senior prom is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Although any student from any grade can go to prom as long as the student is invited by an upperclassman, nothing can replace going to prom with your senior class and seeing your friends and peers all elegantly dressed. There is nothing to lose by going to prom; more things are actually lost by not going. As one is leaving high school, seniors aim to leave with no regrets and to make the most of remaining high school experiences.

The fact that a prom ticket is about $100, not even considering the cost for the preparation, turns students off since this price is a bit excessive for just one night. However, it’s a small price to pay considering that this will be one of the last few times seniors can get together at a large school event. Furthermore, prom is not just a night of dancing but a chance for individuals to make some lasting, treasurable memories, something priceless.

All in all, our high school experience goes by too quickly and we should try to make the most out of these 4 years by going to special events. Prom is no exception. High school, being such a critical time in our lives, should be remembered through memories, memories that can very well be made at prom.

JASON ZHU
Staff Writer

To high schoolers, prom is an important rite of passage. While many might argue that prom is a high school tradition, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the last chance you can enjoy a good time with your friends before graduation, there are many cons to prom that students should consider before feeling obligated to do so.

First and foremost, prom is a huge financial burden cast upon students and parents. According to a prom spending survey by credit card company Visa, teens will spend an average of $919 on prom expenses. This money could be going toward college tuition, career funding or maybe even a summer trip with your close friends. Because everyone is expected to dress formally on top of the tickets, prom is simply too expensive.

Next, proms nowadays do not celebrate the values they were originally intended for. Prom is a shortened term for “promotional dance” or promenade, in which students celebrate the hard work that has been achieved during high school. However, proms are becoming more like a mere competition for better dates or physical appearance. The expected image of the “perfect prom night” characterized by popular media often leads to the misconception of the need to find the “perfect” date for the “perfect night.” The pressure on students can make proms rather awkward and end up ruining the experience.

The choice of attending prom is all in all a personal option and should not be seen as a must. If a student simply wants to have fun with his or her friends, there are many other alternatives that can serve as substitutes to make the experience more affordable and enjoyable.