OPINION: Prom should be more affordable

INFOGRAPHIC: Between the high prices of clothes and transportation, is prom really accessible to all students? (Graphic / Rachel Wong)

By Grace Kishiyama,

BlueDevilHUB.com Editor in Chief–

 In an announcement posted on Canvas by Anthony Vasquez, students were notified on Tuesday “that the (Davis High) admin will be providing chartered buses as a free and equitable transportation option for Davis Joint Unified School District students attending the 2022 senior prom.”

The HUB is ecstatic to see the DHS administration making an effort to make prom more affordable and accessible to all students.

However, the accessibility of prom does not lie solely in the cost of transportation — dresses and tuxedos are expensive, not to mention the high cost of dining before the dance. 

Renting a tuxedo or buying a dress can be costly. 

“I personally had to pay $250 for my tux rental … when I’m only able to work one to two times a week due to school sports (or) school work, paying that much takes a big hit to my paycheck,” senior Ethan Tan said.

However, student government is taking a few measures to help bring down the costs of prom.

DHS activities director and student government adviser Anthony Vasquez actively worked to help lower the costs that come with prom. 

This year as opposed to offering dinner to students at prom the way DHS has done in the past, there will be appetizers instead. 

 “There’s going to be like stations of food where people can come and make small plates as they wish. My goal with that was to reduce the ticket price,” Vasquez said. 

Vasquez was originally aiming to have tickets sell for $40 or $50. 

“My dream was that since we could do the reception style event we could then reduce the ticket cost … I think we were half able to do that,” Vasquez said.

DHS also offers financial support to students who may not be able to afford a ticket. 

“Every year we work with the counselors to offer free tickets and reduced cost tickets to students who qualify,” Vasquez said. 

In order to make prom more affordable, I think in the future, the school (or even a group of students ) should create a program that allows DHS graduates to donate, lend or sell their pre-loved prom dresses and tuxedos to current students.

Not only would this be more environmentally friendly, it would also be more affordable for students. 

Furthermore, in years to come, DHS should continue to offer free transportation to and from the dance to save students money. 

Vasquez says that he is hoping that seniors provide feedback on the expenses of this year’s prom.

“I hope they give us honest feedback about (the ticket cost) and the overall cost of their night as a whole … I’m really looking forward to feedback this year,” Vasquez said. 

Feedback should be provided to Vasquez, senior class president Carleigh Greenway, senior vice president Alicia Joo or Vice Principal Chandra Wengler.