Senior All Night Party flawed
Cost, other issues deterrent to success
May 4, 2018
The premise of an all-inclusive safe party put on by the local Park community just for our graduating senior class is a good one, and the party has the potential to be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, there are a few problems.
The $75 cost of attendance is just too high, turning a large number of students off from the idea of attending. The cost is more than many people are willing or able to pay. Fundraising efforts are great; they offer scholarships and sufficient financial relief for students who could otherwise not afford to go. However, for the majority of families at Park, $75 is just enough to make kids and their families question if the cost of the party is really worth it. The descriptor “all-inclusive” implies a much lower, accessible cost. This year’s prom tickets, for example, cost only $25 or $30.
Additionally, party planners should not come in with the expectation in order to entice kids to attend, they need to crowdfund $10,000 plus to spend on $15,000 worth of ridiculous one-off prizes. Planners don’t need to advertise some shallow ‘chance to win’ casino-esque experience. I can’t speak for everyone, but what I’d imagine most seniors want is a fun, accessible carefree night to spend time with longtime friends, soon be a luxury with post-graduation adulthood looming. Sure, winning a pair of Beats Headphones is cool, but to market that as the main event in a night which should be about friends and fun is unnecessary. If party planners really take pride in supporting Park students and their community, they should cater the party (and use party funds) to fit this idea, not for winning some prize. Kids just want to have a crazy good time with their friends more than anything.
Even with the venue, ‘transportation, catered food, lots of entertainment, games, prizes, raffles and much more’ the idea $10,000 is needed to throw this party is asinine. A great time could be had for less than half that amount. Sure more money can translate into more fun, but that always begs the question ‘what better places could this money be going?’ Money could contribute to scholarships or school funds. If the community can raise $10,000 for a senior high school party, we should be able to raise and use the money for much more important things, $15,000 worth of prizes is an insanely extravagant amount to give away.
The idea the senior party works in lieu of some other house party with alcohol and ‘dangerous’ behavior is also unlikely. Any kids wanting that experience are just going to go out and create it for themselves, regardless of whether this party exists or not. Thus, the party should only work to be the best it can be and as fun as possible, seeking more input from seniors and what they actually want and standing alone as a Park tradition. That’s the best way of getting kids to attend, have fun and stay safe after graduation.
