High prom ticket prices will turn students away

The announcement of this year's prom ticket prices has upset many students. Starting at $95 with an ASB card, it's more expensive than the day-before cost for last year's prom.

Though many online have voiced their disappointment, they are still planning on attending prom. However, others say they are boycotting prom because they can’t afford the price tag, which will reach $135 for those without an ASB card.

There are many different reasons that ticket prices went up. The Saratoga Mountain Winery is a premium venue and hosts concerts, weddings and high-class galas.

This year ASB leaders said that they wanted to offer students “the most premium experience for students," said senior class president Yuva Krishnapillai

The prom committee did also state that the date chosen for the venue was inconvenient, but was the best date for the price. It sits on the same date as the SAT, and between two weeks of AP testing.

The opinion of the Bear Witness editors

At these prices, Branham might have some problems getting more attendees. More than a quarter, 27.2% of students at school qualify for free or reduced lunch, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Yes, the venue is nice and overlooks SiliconValley, but it might not make up for the price.

Students such as junior Christian Winzenread have voiced their opinion about the ticket prices on social media and have decided to protest the event, calling prom a “luxury afforded to a few students.” He also noted that prom goes beyond just a ticket but the cost of a formal requires some spending, so the full cost could be anywhere from $200 to $500 for some. Even though the venue is expensive, other factors are to blame.

SENSITIVITY

Inflation is also another contributing factor to the higher ticket prices. Typically, ticket prices for anything go up because of market dynamics, which is when there is a fluctuation in prices based on supply and demand.

Even though inflation adds to the problem, prom tickets were not this expensive last year. You could buy a ticket for $90 without an ASB card the day before prom.

Leigh High School held their prom at the Winery last year. Their prices were only $75 and then $85 the week before the event. Leigh also does not raise prices weekly and only does one price increase the week before prom.

The ASB program does try to make a profit from prom, but if they don’t get enough people to attend, they might lose money.

In the end, the problem isn’t the price of the venue, but the price of the ticket and how it is inconsiderate for ASB to have these prices when many students cannot afford them.

Prom prices

$90 ASB/$95 w/o

March 27 to April 9

$110 ASB/$120 w/o

April 10 to April 23

$125 ASB/$135w/o

April 24 to May 5