Prom is one of those events that people either dream about or dread. For some, it’s the highlight of high school—a night filled with glamour, laughter, and unforgettable memories. And I get that. But after my experience last year, I realized prom just isn’t for everyone.

During my junior year, I was excited for prom. I bought my $85 ticket, planned everything with a group of close friends, and looked forward to a fun night. But when we arrived, things didn’t go as planned. Despite having paid for dinner, my group of four couldn’t find a place to sit. We were told we had to sit immediately or leave, since dinner service was about to begin. The situation got worse when a group of about 15 people walked in right after us. If seating was tough before, it is impossible now.

My group left, hoping to regroup and figure something out, but once we stepped outside, we weren’t allowed back in. That was it—our prom night was over before it began, and I was left feeling disappointed and out $85.
This year, I made a different choice. I still got dressed up and took pictures with my friends, but instead of heading to prom, we went out for a nice dinner. The food was better, the price was lower, and most importantly—we had a seat waiting for us.

To the school’s credit, it seems like lessons were learned. Senior Kait Lee said, “So I’m glad they’re taking more precautions this year, logistically speaking. This year they’re being more cautious about tables and the amount of tickets that can be sold because of how last year they had to turn people who had bought tickets away.”

I’m not saying prom is terrible. I know lots of people who love it, and I’m happy they had a good time. But for me, the stress and unpredictability just weren’t worth it. And honestly? Skipping prom this year felt like the right call.