Sophomore Madison Fountain peels through each rack, clawing at silks and fabrics that hang in various colors. She’s searched for hours for that certain something, and finally finds the floor length, dark purple gown that she’s accidentally fallen in love with.
Prom has been a traditional occasion for girls to fawn over, and guys to expect while surviving high school. Legacy’s prom will be on May 5th this year, and seniors have already begun to prepare for the occasion.
“My dress was actually really cheap,” Fountain said. “Compared to what some girls are spending. I bought it on a whim.”
While it took Fountain a few hours to find her gown, it only took senior Gabrielle Garza 20 minutes of searching to come in contact with hers through online shopping.
“It’s beautiful,” Garza said, “but I’m upset about my track tan lines.”
According to a mother of a student who has already attended prom, Sheri St. John says the girls check out the dress they like online first, then look in the stores for any others they might like. The girls then try on the dresses and decide by prices as well. Also, the girls makes sure the store only sold one other dress to another girl in Mansfield.
“Hopefully the girl who bought the other dress isn’t at Legacy,” Mrs.St. John said.
Along with the dress, there has to be matching shoes, makeup and a hairstyle. St. John knew of a girl spending 600 dollars on her gown. Shoes, on average, are $60, and most girls choose to have their hair and makeup done professionally. Therefore, a girl spends $50-175 on her hair and makeup together, according to Star Tribune’s Prom Facts. Overall, a girl who spends $200 on her dress, $60 on heels, $100 on hair and makeup, total, would amount to $360. Garza decided to use her friends to help, rather than pay.
“I’m going in a ponytail and getting Shelbi Vaughan to do my makeup,” Garza said.
As opposed to spending on material items to wear, the male who courts the female to prom pays for everything else. This includes tickets, the limo and after prom. Prom tickets range from $60-80 depending on the week of purchase. On average a limo costs $65 per person, or $600 for the night. After prom costs $20.
“Paying isn’t good, but oh well,” senior James Copeland said. “It’s a lot of money, and I’m not rich.”
While the girls will take all day to get ready for prom, Copeland plans on taking an hour or two.
“I’m excited to go,” Copeland said. “It’s our last hoorah before we go to college.”
Before all the said shenanigans come into view, a student must get a date. Fountain’s friend, Mallorie Carney, asked her out of implication. Garza asked her date, junior Victoria Johnson, by text. Copeland asked his date, senior Morgan Ingle, by changing a Wikipedia page to say ‘a formal request such as: Morgan will you go to prom with me?’ then asking her to look that word up. Each person either invited or received an invitation from a friend.
“I don’t want to worry about a guy all night, and Tori is my best friend,” Garza said. “I’m very excited for prom. It’s like the most exciting part of high school.”
