By: Alexa Moro ’18

This year’s senior prom will be held on June 3, and will overlap with Governor’s Ball (Gov Ball for short), a popular weekend-long music festival held on Randall’s Island, New York. There is a split between students on which event they will attend; some feel that prom is an important end-of-highschool event, while others would prefer to attend the concert.

“All my friends are going to prom and really wanted to enjoy one last dance with them,” Brian MacCordy ’17 said. “I would feel a lot of regret if I went to Gov Ball rather than prom, seeing as it’s my last high school dance.”

Although it may be an important sentimental event to some students, others weigh the total cost of prom compared to Gov Ball as a big factor. “I went to Counties and Red and Whites and I decided it’s not worth the money because it ends up being so expensive,” Kate Backman ’17 said.

Gov Ball tickets start at $105 for a one day general admission, which is much cheaper than the usual cost of prom. This is due to the money spent on tickets, an outfit, hair, makeup, and other aspects of the dance.

Some parents have taken the cost into consideration and are supportive of their children missing their prom. “[Backman’s parents are] actually pretty happy because they know it’s what I wanna do, and also like, I guess it’s essentially cheaper but I don’t think they really care that much,” Backman said.

Many students also viewed the cost of prom as a con that outweighed the sentimentality of the event. “I went to Counties and Red and Whites and realized I was spending all this money just to get to the afterparty, so I figured, go to a music festival instead,” Joey Dougherty ’17 said.

For MacCordy however, the cost is worth it. He acknowledges the good memories that prom will bring, and how unique the opportunity is. “It’s another opportunity to create some memories with the people you spent high school with before we all eventually go our separate ways” MacCordy said.