Prom is touted to be high school's biggest social event. The dress, the date, the dinner plans. I asked a teacher friend if some MHS Juniors and Seniors could take a minute or two and complete a survey. No names, and honest answers. The Muskogee High Prom is this weekend. What do the Class of 2007 and 2008 think of the upcoming event?
I don't know how scientific the format was but I found it interesting. What follows are some off- the- cuff responses to my survey questions.
1. What does "Going to the Prom" mean in 2007? Is it still dinner in Tulsa, a rented limo, a tux and an expensive dress?
#1. Dinner in Tulsa, tons of parties, limo and a "rockin" dress.
#2 Prom is the time to be with friends before we go and start whole, new lives.
#3 Going to prom for me is a last chance to be with friends while looking like a queen.
#4. Our group figured out this year that you don't have to rent a limo and go to Tulsa. You don't have to pay a lot of money for your dress for prom night to be considered a success. It's not so much about what you do but who you're with . The memories come from the friends you're with.
#5. Going to prom means being with as many of our friends as we can to spend one of our last "group" activities together.
2. If you are not excited about prom this year, why?
#1. Well, if anything, the prices and expenses are ridiculous and off the charts. I owed over $100.00 dollars at the bank before they would even let me but a prom ticket. (Note: School debts must be settled before buying a ticket. This includes perhaps a lost text book or a parking ticket....or 2 or 3)
#2. It's too crazy of a night to really enjoy.
#3. People acting stupid. The drinking at the after parties.
#4. Only the popular kids have fun at prom. I don't want to come again this year without a date.
#5. It is $40.00 a couple this year and the prom is in the school cafeteria. Nothing like the smell of stale tater tots as you dance.
3. Any tips for cutting the expense?
#1. Yes, forget the decorations and charge less for tickets. It 's always crepe paper and cardboard anyway.
#2. Girls, do your own makeup, hair and nails. Boys should have the decency to pay for dinner and prom tickets. Oh, and you could borrow a dress from a friend.
#3. It is not important to wear an expensive dress. Everyone at MHS is all about cheap, cute and short.
#4. Vintage stores for retro dresses and suits. Also Resale and Consignment Stores. You don't need a tux.
#5. Have dinner together at someones house. Last year we had steaks with all the trimmings and each chipped in $15.00.
#6. Instead of Olive Garden, make a little stop to the place with the "Golden Arches."
4. What are your specific plans this year? (#1 IS MY FAVORITE)
#1. Whatever the girls tell me I am doing.
#2. Pictures at Honor Heights, Dinner at the cabin, then of course we will arrive fashionably late, around 10:00.
#3. Eat early, go to the Roxy to hear live music, then go to the prom.
#4. Eat, take pictures, go to the dance, then to Wal Mart to hang out with friends.
(Wal Mart??)
5. Are you and your group wise about safety and driving?
#1. Me, yes, Friends, not so much.
#2. Yes, we are very wise, I will probably be the designated driver.
#3. Yes, for sure!
#4. Of course.
#5. No.
#6. Yes, we will have a designated D.D.
#7. Of course. Everyone should be.
#8. Somewhat.
6. Does everyone go with a date?
#1. Yes, but not so much as couples, more as friends.
#2. Less couples, more platonic friends.
#3. Duh. Of course, it pretty much looks bad if you don't.
#4. 98%
#5. Yes, because they were asked and are going with a date. But I'm not.
#6. Yeah, you want someone to take a picture with.
#7. I don't intrude in anyone else's business, therefore, I don't know.
#8. Yes. The date thing is a way to finally hang out with someone you've had a crush on all year and haven't asked.
I never minded chaperoning at prom when I was a teacher at MHS. It was always fun to see my students all dressed up , and who they came with. Seniors and Juniors, have a wonderful time this weekend, make memories and stay safe!!!! Remember boys, just do what the girls tell you to do and you'll all have a grand time! (see #4)
Oh, I just remembered another question I wish I had asked. Do you all still wear corsages and boutonnieres? I personally never got that wrist corsage of miniature roses and tiny daisies. John R. definitely did not follow instructions very well! My red carnations started at the wrist and ended up right at the crook of my elbow.
23 comments:
I overheard someone talking about the price of prom tickets the other day, I honestly thought they were exaggerating, $40? Wow. What is that money used for? I'm guessing at least 100 couples will be there which means $4,000 alone will be raised, and if there isn't a band or food, and if the decorations truly are cardboard and paper, what does the money go for? Curious.
I also wasn't sure what was meant by choosing a designated driver. For some reason it seems like every year underage drinking is tolerated as long as it done safely, or maybe that's the perception the local media outlets give.
J I really debated whether to put that in the survey..my idea was light and fun but it seemed like given the purpose of this site, adults reading it needed to know the comments. Of course, I only had 35 responses but if you figure percentages, over 1/2 of the kids responding indicated drinking was somehow involved. It is not just prom, as Mel and I continue to wring our hands about. Drinking is the prevalent recreational activity for a large percent of our teen age population. ( and continues to be as they enter college)
About the prom price. I was Junior sponsor and it is expensive. The DJ is as much as a band, but that is what kids prefer. There is some food and the decorations, though minimal, are expensive. Security must be paid and there is clean up. Also, fewer kids go very year but the expenses stay the same...kind of Catch 22.
The DJ is as much as a band...
I got to thinking about the post a bit more and realize that there is probably more then paper decorations involved with putting together a prom (the security came to mind). I guess I temporarily lost my faculties and thought either the music was piped in via the radio or by magic. A DJ's fee could be rather costly.
In regard to underage drinking, it's a problem. My ongoing contention is that underage drinking doesn't seem to be considered a problem, even openly. Last year on the local news, a reporter was interviewing parents of high school students about teaching their children how to be responsible when it came to alcohol and the prom. I really thought for a moment that perhaps the legal drinking age had been lowered. As far as I'm concerned the responsibility rests flatly on the parents. I've heard too many stories of parents purchasing alcohol for various high school parties (including, but not limited to graduation).
As always thank you for the informative and interesting posts. Your blog is a great resource for parenting. I've recommended your site to several parents of teens.
No, J, you didn't lose your faculties, it's just that prices are so much now, it really does cost that much to put on a Prom. You are right, a DJ is about $1,500, then you do add in decorations (those Prom kits are about $2000 minimum) and food, custodial fees, security, printing of tickets and programs - it really is a production. And, having it at another facility besides the cafeteria just adds to the expense.
Wednesday Jackie Luckey from Project Under 21 at Green Country Mental Health is coming during lunch with the fatal vision goggles so the kids can see just how much drinking impairs a person's ability to function. Hopefully it will get through to alot of the kids about drinking and driving.
Melony
Oh, and the money raised from the Prom moves up with the Junior Class, who puts the prom on, to their Senior year and is used to fund their senior class project, get senior t-shirts, order Senior Banquet supplies and just generally run their senior year. That was probably more Prom info than you wanted, huh?!!
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