Is Prom worth it?

Samo’s Met Gala themed prom was an extraordinary experience for many Samo students, but similar to the actual Met Gala, it did not please everyone. This prompted many discussions surrounding the quality of the event overall. The prom was attended by most of Samo’s senior class and a few juniors. Before the prom, many students were expressing their excitement for having a prom at Sofi, however, after seeing the field for the first time, the excitement wore off. It began to feel like a regular venue. Students were able to sit on the bleachers, but were unable to go onto the field due to a charity event taking place. However, Oaks Christian High School, who was also having their prom at Sofi, got to visit the field and the locker rooms.  

The food was not inclusive for many students and lacked variety. The catered food featured hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, sliders, pizza, wings and cookies. Many of these items are not inclusive for students with food intolerances, and although the cookies were fresh, the hot dogs were cold. All of the food was more similar to ones you might find at a sports game at Sofi Stadium, not at a prom. Plus, the students looking for nourishment after spending the night on the dance floor were out of luck, because even though the prom ended at 11 and students were not allowed to leave until 10, the food stopped being served at nine pm.

For some students though, like Sage Douglass (’24), the quality of food and the fact that it was easy to grab improved it overall. 

“I liked the food at prom, I think it consisted of more gourmet stadium food but I loved the sliders, they hit the spot.” Douglass said. 

Getting the tickets to prom was also tough, due to the amount of students buying them, and the expensive price. Tickets were $150 at the regular price and $85 for free and reduced lunch. Most seniors were also renting a limo or a party bus and had to pay money for an outfit for the night which added to the high cost of the event. From the day the administration started selling them, there was a long line outside of Discovery. Students Ariana Mousavi (’23) and Elva Loomis (’23)  waited in line for the entirety of lunch to buy tickets before spring break.

“The line was super long and it was a really hot day so it was annoying, but it was worth it because I had the best time with my friends at prom,” Mousavi said. 

Although Sofi Stadium and the food were problems, the redeeming point was definitely the activities. In addition to the classic dance floor, there was an artist doing caricatures of students attending, and instead of a classic photo booth, there was a professional photographer taking pictures of students. Due to the prom taking place at a stadium equipped for thousands of people, there was plenty of space for all the students, and rarely a line for the bathroom, incredibly different from the Homecoming dance held at Samo. 

Although there are many improvements prom could have next year, starting with the hassle of buying tickets, the food and the venue itself, it's definitely worth it in the end. Prom is a classic American tradition and celebration of the past four years in High School, one that should not be missed by the future senior classes.