At Calabasas High School, prom has always been important. It’s always been seen as a defining moment of senior year, one final celebration before graduation. But as the big night creeps up on seniors, many students are realizing that the cost of making lifelong memories is adding up, and it’s adding up rather quickly.
This year’s prom, themed “A Night in Vegas”, will take place on May 16th at the Candela La Brea, a popular event venue in Los Angeles. Ticket prices alone are already a point of conversation.
Tickets are $160 for students without an Associated Student Body (ASB) sticker and $140 for those without-only a $20 discount. While ASB members, especially those who are seniors, have worked together to organize the event and secure the venue, some students have begun to question whether the experience really merits the price.
For nearly all seniors, the ticket is just the beginning. Between dresses, suits, transportation, and hotel stays, prom expenses can quickly climb toward several hundreds of dollars. While not required, many seniors also choose to participate in additional experiences. Hotel rooms often cost around $300-$400 per night in Los Angeles where the venue is located. For those planning to extend their night, the most preferred after-party ticket amongst students starts at $110.
Senior Sophia Campanella describes the financial pressure that follows these extravagances.
“It’s so expensive. A hotel room is like $500, then my dress was $100 or more… and all on top of that, the prom ticket itself is expensive too. It’s crazy and hard to keep up with,” Campanella said.
Another senior, Brady Stevens, expresses similar concerns, specifically about the ticket pricing.
“It’s extremely annoying how much everything costs this year. Prom alone is what, $160 for a ticket without ASB? And even with the sticker, it’s only twenty bucks less anyway. I feel like everything combined can probably be over $400, which is ridiculously expensive,” Brady said.
For Liam Amitai, the issue comes down to whether the experience is worth its price tag.
“$160 seems a lot, but it depends. If it’s for the cost of the venue, food, and everything else, then I can understand it. But if the quality isn’t up to par with what we all paid for, I’d be upset. I’ve already spent a couple of hundred for a hotel, cars, and buses.”
Most students find that the cost is a lot to take on, but who says it’s not worth the experience? Senior Brady Stevens, Sophia Campanella, and Liam Amitai all have a similar opinion when it comes to what’s “worth it.”
“I think in a way, yes, it’s going to be worth it. It’s one of our last big events of senior year. But it’s probably going to be more fun at the after-party and just ditching the actual prom with friends. I think that’s going to be more fun than being there,” Campanella explained.
Brady Stevens follows with a similar approach.
“If you’re a senior, it is your last chance, and you have to make the most of it. No matter what the price is, you should suck it up and pay for it,” Brady said.
Like many seniors, Liam Amitai sees prom as a rare occurrence.
“You don’t have many chances to go to prom, you have it once in senior year. So honestly, I feel like it’s worth it. But the venue and prices kind of dictate how much fun you can have,” Amitai said.
While some students choose to limit their spending and skip out on additional expenses, others lean into the full cost. The reality is that many feel pressure to fully participate in the prom experience. Social expectations, group plans, and the everlasting desire to make perfect memories all play a role. For many, prom is less about the dance itself and more about the memories made with friends before and after the event.
At Calabasas High School, prom continues to be a meaningful tradition. However, it highlights a broader issue, the balance between tradition and accessibility. While ASB works to create an affordable event, students are navigating the financial realities that come with it. Seniors are left with the excitement of a once-in-a-lifetime event, as well as the harsh reality of how much the “perfect” night is really worth.
