The Reasons Why Prom is not Worth It

Prom. The very word brings giggles and butterflies to millions of high school students. It seems to be a source of hope or a light at the end of the tunnel, many endlessly fantasize how and with whom they will spend this magical night with. But for me the very thought makes me feel like gagging.Why is it so extensively esteemed? I mean, sure it’s a great and fun way, to spend the night, but spending around one hundred dollars just for a dress (and that’s being generous) it seems to be a colossal waste of money. Schools alone dump thousands of dollars down the drain, just to make this one night a spectacular one, while only a few students actually attend.

At Heritage Academy, our scholar Council makes its money through our “Dollars for Duds.” The scholar council charges money for students who wish to wear regular clothes instead of uniform. All the money made from “Dollars for Duds” is then used to fund our extracurricular activities. Which, honestly is a good idea, however, the fact that a greater percentage of the students who are contributing to our funds, happen to be students who are not able to attend events, really irks me. Why should a seventh grader fund a high school event that they cannot attend? It would be ok if the junior high parties would match or even come remotely close to the budget provided for high school ones, but this is nowhere near the case. Prom, and all the other dances simply cost too much.

Originally, school proms would take place at the respective high school, but as the years have gone on, schools seem to compete in making their school dances more extravagant than others. It’s “school tradition” now. If someone were to propose getting rid of prom or even keeping it at school, there would be an uproar of angry students and parents with pitchforks and flaming torches protesting outside. When I told my friends I had no desire to attend, you would think I had given them a heart attack. They seem to believe that prom is the most important night of your high school career, and your life would be over if you didn’t attend.Another reason why prom is not as great as you think, is that prom night is a great time for making poor decisions. Statistics show roughly a third of alcohol-related teen traffic fatalities occur between April and June, which is considered the peak of prom season. Many teens give in to peer pressure, and participate in stuff they would not normally do because they’re trying to, “make it a night to remember.” Though it does not seem to be a problem at Heritage Academy, it is at other schools.

And even if you get a date, the chances of having a good time are slim. I mean, for the amount of money you’re spending, you should just go to Disneyland which is the happiest place on earth. Even if you wish on your shooting star all night, you are just going to get asked by some average Joe Schmo, whom you might have a fun time with. But when he leads you to the dance floor and the first question he asks you is, “what color is your toothbrush?” You will know I’m right. And that one guy with the dreamy blue eyes, the one you were praying would ask you. Yeah, you know who I’m talking about. Well he asked yoru best friend. And she said yes! Look what you paid for! You have spent hundreds of dollars on you shoes, dress, jewelry, makeup, and hair just so the pretty boy would notice you. And he didn’t even give you half a glance. Now you have to subtract a Blue Bunny’s cookie dough from your prom funds. Prom: not enough positive, and too much heartache.

And don’t even get me started on the photos. You may think they look great, but in twenty some odd years one of your kids will post your prom photo to they’re snapchat with the hashtag fail. The next thing you know you and your puffy dress will become the next viral meme. Believe me, Prom is just not worth it. All of it, the fear of not being asked (or for me) the fear of being asked. The drama, broken friendships, the cost, the peer pressure, and the new food baby from you have from eating cookie dough heaven. Just go to Disneyland, or cruise it up in Puerto Rico. And while you’re at it, let me know, and I will meet you there

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