The battle of prom: Why it’s okay to opt out of the chaos

By Ashlynn Vernile '26

Seniors and juniors, prom season 2026 is officially here. We are made to feel that this event is supposed to be the “night of our lives,” but it is safe to say it has become a full-time job.

As juniors prepare for a possible final dance at Glastonbury Hills on April 25 amid talk of a venue change, seniors are already locked in table wars and beach house budget disputes ahead of their June 6 night at the Aqua Turf. As fights brew, WHS juniors and seniors are left wondering: Is the excitement worth months of struggle? We spend dozens of hours staring at spreadsheets, arguing in group chats, and scrolling through dress shops, all for one night where we finally put the devices down.

Juniors, this isn’t just a dance; it’s a high-pressure introduction to a high school tradition. I know April 25 stays a looming date on the calendar. This night at Glastonbury Hills is often less about the dance itself and more about surviving the "promposal" battle and gathering enough money for a ticket.

"It’s a teenager’s event, yet not all kids have the money to keep up," junior Fernando Salcedo said. "I think they set it up so they can get the most money out of us, but I’m worried it’ll just be a waste of time. I'm choosing to skip the dance and just go out to eat or to the movies instead."

Salcedo’s perspective shows that for many juniors, the excitement of Glastonbury Hills is not enough to outweigh the reality of a light wallet and the appeal of a stress-free night at the movies or the bowling alley.

Seniors, movies have suggested for decades that this one night will make or break your high school career. Senior class president Leyna Rodriguez offered her input on the matter.

"The Aqua Turf is honestly just for tradition—a ‘don’t fix what isn’t broken’ mentality—but it has become pretty broken," Rodriguez said. "We get complaints from parents saying, ‘But that is where I had my prom 20 years ago,’ while students are stuck dealing with the high costs and logistics. I tell people all the time that the ‘table wars’ don’t really matter, but the stress of the party bus and the $100 price tag is real. As much of a headache as it can be, you’re paying for the memories."

Her perspective reminds us that even at the top, the "perfect night" requires an exhausting amount of finesse.

It is almost impossible to go to prom alone without extra costs; the ticket price alone has made me second-guess my plans. Math teacher and junior class advisor Michael Miller provided some insight.

"We're not sitting in the cafeteria or the gym," Miller said, noting that the higher price tag secures a location with views of the golf course. "That’s some of what that money’s paying for is location."

To help offset these costs for older students, Miller added, "What I try to do is make the junior price a little bit more expensive so that I can make the senior less expensive. Whatever money's left over is put forth toward the senior prom."

It is clear that the price tag is not just a random number; it is a reflection of how massive these productions have become. Between the clichés, drama, and dreadful costs, it can bring up the question: Is prom even worth it? Seniors and juniors of WHS are dealing with this war, but I say: Who cares! Do not feel pressured to go.

"I think it's worthwhile to go to at least a dance, whether it's the prom or homecoming... just to be part of the school community," Miller said. "But if it's too expensive, it’s not the end of the world if you miss it."
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I promise this one night will not define your four years at WHS. However, if you want a night to dress up and feel mature—to just be teens in an era where screens have taken over—then go and enjoy every second of it.

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