Prom creates memories and empty bank accounts
Students find prom is costly but say it is worth it to them
(Girls spend money on dress, nails, hair)
MALISSA TRENHOLM

Fred Worstein thinks tuxedos are overrated. He plans a more casual look for prom.

Jimmy Deaver is shown with his Winter Formal date, Nicole Chirolo. Tuxedos and formals are part of prom and the winter dance attire. Students say the cost is worth it to them to create a life-long memory.

Looking at prom form a guy's point of view can be very different from a girl's point of view, yet it can be alike as well. Ryan Walthuis, a junior, feels “prom is a time to make life time memories that you can tell your grandchildren,” adding, “It's also a time to dress up and just have a good time.”

Jimmy Deaver, a sophomore, says, “it would be cool” if he had the opportunity to go to prom this year, even though he is not an upper classmen. Deaver said he would spend about $300 on prom all together. Fred Worstein, a senior, says he plans to spend about $250 this year, Justin Logee, a junior, wishes to spend $800, and Walthuis wishes to spend “what ever it takes to make the night right.”

Thinking of the tuxedo, Deaver says $150 is how much he would spend, Worstein feels $250 is about right, while Walthuis exclaims, “tuxedos are overrated.” Both Worstein and Deaver say they would spend an average of $25 to $30 on the boutonniere and corsage, while Walthuis, stated, “I'm going to pick my date fresh flowers.”

All of the fellows interviewed stated they would pay for their date's dinner as well as the tickets. Although Walthuis said he believes in mutual spending, he wouldn't expect his date to pay for her ticket and dinner.

For the dinner, Worstein and Deaver said they would like to eat at Szechuan or Ducey’s on the Lake. Walthuis stated he would like to eat at Hondo's because it has nice food and a good atmosphere. Lastly, Logee proclaimed he would like to take his date to the Elderberry House.
When asked about their dates, Worstien said he would probably go with a group of friends, Walthuis and Deaver stated their dates would be a girl that is one of their friends, and Logee plans to go with his girlfriend, Heather Hyatt. Walthuis has already asked his date. He stated he asked her over Christmas break. Deaver said he would ask his date about a month and a half before the big day, while Worstein stated he plans to ask about two weeks before the dance.

It is a known fact that girls take a long time to get ready for the biggest dance of the year, but surprisingly guys do also take a while to prepare. Walthuis, Deaver and Logee all said it would take them an hour to get ready. Being his second prom, Worstien gets ready a bit quicker. He said it would only take him 30 to 45 minutes to prepare.

What the guys said they would do to get ready consists of taking a shower, putting on their clothes, putting on cologne, brushing their teeth, doing their hair, checking their nails, shaving and starting the vehicle. If only girls could do this.

Concerning their transportation to the dance, Deaver hopes to get a limousine, and Walthuis, Worstein, and Logee plan to drive themselves.
When asked their opinions on the prom queen and king traditions, Logee and Walthuis feel it isn't necessary for it is just a popularity contest, “unless I win,” laughs Logee. Yet Deaver and Worstein think the crowning of the royal is necessary. “It is fun and just an extra thing to add to prom,” says Worstein. Deaver says he thinks of it as “an important and cool tradition.”

Deaver also feels prom is important to all people, girls and guys, because “It's a dance that you can go to in your last years of high school before you're an adult. It's just one of those things you can look forward to doing in high school.”

Girls spend money on dress, nails, hair
CARMEN GEORGE

Jessica Little and her prom date, Tommy Marsh

With prom only a few months away, teens everywhere are already thinking about their big night -- and that big cost. How much does the average teenage girl actually spend to go to the prom? Hollywood has glamorized prom for decades, but is it really as important as it's made out to be?

The average cost for prom is anywhere from $150 to $1500, with the dress usually costing anywhere from $75 to $250 according to Factoids.com. “I don't think I'll spend more than $120 on my dress,” stated YHS sophomore Sara Donnelly, add-ing, “last year my shoes and nails cost about $80. This will be Donnelly's second year going to prom with her boyfriend Kevan Kolander, and she's already very excited about her special night. “Last year was exciting because I was one of the only freshmen at prom,” stated Donnelly.

When asked why people make such a big deal over prom, YHS senior, Kim Montag responded, “Probably because prom is for juniors and seniors, and it's a dance for just you and your couple.” Last year Montag went to prom with Nate Wilkins. “The dance was really small but I liked it,” commented Montag, who said she spent roughly $110 on her dress and shoes, and she had her nails done in Oakhurst for about $30.

For many other teens, like YHS junior, Jessica Little, this will be her first year going to prom. “This will be the first prom that I get to go to with the one I really love,” said Little happily, thinking of her boyfriend Tommy Marsh. Little doesn't expect to spend more than $200 on her dress, shoes and jewelry, and she plans to do all of her prom shopping down in Fresno. She is expecting to have her nails done in Oakhurst, costing roughly $25, and she is still deciding if she wants to have her hair professionally styled for prom night.

“After Kevan and I finished our dinner at Ducey's before prom last year, we asked for our bill but the waiter told us that an older couple in the restaurant had seen us and already paid for it,” added Donnelly, smiling gratefully, “We didn't even know who they were and our dinner was probably close to $80.” The majority of YHS students said that they went out to dinner before prom in restaurants in the local community, although a few stated that they had driven down to Fresno.

All three of the girls are planning to do their prom shopping down in Fresno, but all of them said that they would most likely be buying their date's boutonniere from a local floral shop.

Little, Montag and Donnelly also agreed that dancing was definitely the best part of the prom experience. All of the girls also commented that they had previously done their own hair or had a friend help style it.

When asked who should pay for what, none of the girls thought that it had to all be paid for by their date. “Tommy and I will probably split the cost for everything,” said Little.

When confronted with the question of how much time is needed beforehand to get ready for prom, all of them answered between 2-3 hours.

“I was really nervous beforehand,” laughed Montag, “it was terrifying.”

Responding to the “Limo,” question, Donnelly said that Kolander wanted to rent one this year for the two of them. Little wasn't planning on getting a limo this year, but she thought she probably would for her senior prom. Montag said that she rode with a friend to prom last year.

“I think prom is a lot of fun and I like to go to dance and dress up,” said Donnelly.

Little is extremely excited that prom will be held at Tenaya Lodge and she's looking forward to the whole experience. “It will be totally awesome,” she said, “The only dances I've ever gone to have been held at the school and it will be nice to have one somewhere different for a change.”

When asked about her feelings on the prom nominations, Little commented, “I don't really think they are a big deal, but I think for the person that is nominated it is and they'll remember it forever. It's a neat thing.”

“Everyone should experience Prom,” said Montag, “It's a lot different from other high school dances and it's a lot more fun.”

Little added, smiling, “It's a special memory that you'll always have.”

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