Prom is at the Hyatt Regency on April 12 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $100 from Mar. 31 to Apr. 9. Students can purchase tickets by accessing the QR codes around the school and in the homeroom slides.
“I know the kids put a lot of work into the details of getting ready for prom, so I love for them to just show off,” Class officer sponsor Alissa Cornic said. “They’re just so excited to see each other.”
Students should not enter the venue through the front doors; instead they will be directed to a side entrance where they can take an elevator to enter the ballroom. Class office has responded to feedback on last year’s event by expanding the dance floor. Organizers say the $100 ticket price is necessary to cover the cost of hosting the event off-campus since very few venues in Austin can hold 1000 people, which is the number of students expected to attend.
“There’s a bare minimum that you have to cover and meet in order for it to be a benefit for the venue to host,” Cornic said. “That gives us a big challenge.”
Organizers also encourage students to take advantage of the early-bird sale, which has already passed. However, even the lower priced $85 tickets can be a financial strain on some students; about 30 percent of students at JHS qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The only feasible way to lower the ticket price would be to host prom at school. Organizers have rejected this, worrying that it would diminish the prom experience.
“We already do homecoming here,” Cornic said. “I don’t know that students want to have their prom here.”
Although the ticket cost is unavoidable, there is relief for students who find difficulty affording prom attire. Students can request an outfit from Cinderella’s Closet or Hays Hope Closet. These options reduce the cost of prom for low-income students.
An event like prom requires months of planning, and students do most of the work. Before the school year even begins, class officers must choose the theme and select people to serve on the prom committee.
“One of our first steps was getting the principal and the APs all on board with our theme, our destination, and our plan,” Junior class officer Elsie McCabe said. “Before we can even start ordering or anything we had to make sure that everyone in the hierarchy was okay with what we were doing.”
Organizers want parents to know that their kids will be safe. School resource officers, administrators, and chaperones will supervise students in designated zones, and outside guests will be strictly barred from entry unless on the approved list.
“We want you guys to have fun, but we also want you to be responsible,” Class office sponsor Eric Accardi said. ”Just make good choices.”
Most importantly, prom is a chance for students to support one another and enjoy the friendship of peers.
“Everyone’s showing up, showing out, putting in their best efforts,” Senior class officer Madison Cannon said. “It is such a great opportunity to be with all your friends, especially for seniors. It’s definitely a once in a lifetime memory that you get with your class.”
