WESTFORD ACADEMY: Prom Expenses and Anticipation are Both High

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Inside the Westford home of Alyssa Vuilleumier, a satin and chiffon dress hangs on her closet door. The black and blue gown, which she designed, cost $350, but, she said, the expense is for a good reason. It’s her prom dress — the May 20 date marked in green letters with an exclamation point on a calendar hanging on the side of her bed. An extensive make-up kit rests on her dresser in preparation for one of the defining moments of her teenage years.

“I would say it’s worth it for the memories,” she said of the cost of going to the formal dinner dance at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston.

With prom being an imminent event for the seniors of Westford Academy, students are in a frenzy to get all their expenses and plans squared away. For the participants it promises a night of frenetic jubilation and momentary yet overwhelming satisfaction. However, most conversations about prom turn into a reflection on the increasing cost of it all, ranging from $370 to $2,012 (see accompanying sidebar). Costs can include the outfit, shoes, transportation, makeup, boutonniere or corsage, the promposal –a unique way of inviting a date–and of course the ticket. Some students are voicing discontent over the expense of going to prom and the financial help they needed from their parents.

“My parents did pay for most of it…pretty much 100 percent,” Alyssa said. (Story continues below.)

But parents are just one resource when it comes to funding the expense. Students have been taking clever measures toward saving money on prom. WA senior Matt Ward said he distributed coupons for Men’s Wearhouse in return for a discount on his own tuxedo rental. Some students are reusing formalwear that they already had, and one student is offering free make-up applications on  the day of prom to spare senior girls the expense of paying for the service.

In March, Westford Academy administrators announced prom tickets would cost  $125 — $35 more than tickets sold to the prom two years ago at the same venue, and $30 more than last year. The reason for this, said school administrators, was a recent $125 million renovation at the Park Plaza where Westford Academy’s prom is traditionally held. The upgrade pushed the hotel’s rental costs higher.

“They refurbished the banquet rooms, facility rooms, the security…lots of stuff,” said WA Health and Wellness teacher, Scott Brown who together with teacher Lauren Coffey serves as the class advisor.

But Ward was unmoved by the explanation.

“I thought it was pretty ridiculous,” he said, “and I think that was what everyone thought at the time, because $125 per ticket is just absurd, when it’s been $80-$90 in the past… That’s a really big increase, and I don’t think anyone saw it coming…”

In March, when tickets went on sale, a Facebook debate took off, with student opinions falling on either side of the issue.

WA senior John Craffey posted, “Why so much $ though?”

“Suck it up and deal w it guys prom is so worth it !!” stated senior Taylor Wedge in a comment.

But others said they understood both sides of the issue.

“There was a lot of people who were saying…get a job. Sell some stuff. Do whatever you can.’ But it’s not that easy for a lot of people. I feel like a lot of those people who were saying that stuff didn’t understand that,” said Vuilleumier.

Ward and Vuilleumier agree that the high costs don’t detract from the excitement of prom night. Though they both say that they would prefer a lower cost, they both are looking forward to the excitement and merriment of prom regardless.

“Prom is going to be incredibly fun,” said Ward. “I’m expecting to have a really, really great time…It would be nice if it was cheaper, a lot cheaper, but as of right now it is the way it is.”

Brown is sure that when the students walk into the Park Plaza Hotel the venue’s aura will wash away all thoughts of the expense.

“It’s one of those places that when you walk in you’re like, ‘Wow! What a great place!’ It’s spacious, it’s elegant, it’s designed for events like ours…,” he said.

Ethan Wheel is a Westford Academy graduating senior who did his capstone project at Westford Community Access TV.