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ECONOMY EFFECTS PROM NIGHTS

ECONOMY EFFECTS PROM NIGHTS

GULFPORT, FL -- The bad economy seems to be dimming the twinkling lights of prom night at some schools this season. Many high schools are cutting back on costs and expect fewer students participating this year. Tickets range from $45 to $65.

Last year, Boca Ciega High School's junior class spent $27,000 on prom. This year's prom sponsor and art teacher Toree Jones says the class didn't end on a balanced budget either, and left this year's junior class about $5,000 in the red.

In her first year as prom sponsor, Jones has to figure out a way to pay for prom on a strict budget. "Any place we can cut costs, we're cutting costs. But still, you want to give them a great prom, it's so important for seniors," says Jones.

As an art teacher, Jones knows about being resourceful. It's a skill she's teaching this year's prom committee. Instead of hiring out, Boca Ciega High School is throwing a DIY Prom.

"Here we're trying to save money by shredding paper. It would cost a lot of money to buy shredded paper to fill each gift bag," says 17-year-old Ashlee Brown, prom committee treasurer.

The students are getting ideas from prom catalogues. Instead of paying $1,000 for a balloon arch, Jones says they can learn how to make the arch and use the school's helium tank to blow up the balloons. Jones says they'll save about 75 percent and spend about $250. "We can put the same quality show as last year," says Jones.

The goal this year is to spend a lot less, about $17,000 on prom for about 400 students. Once the students had decided on a theme they started keeping an eye out on good deals. They bought most of their prom lights, decorations and snowflakes at 75 percent off during the after-Christmas sales.

Last year's prom committee paid an outside company $6,000 for decorations, set up and clean up. This year's prom committee will spend less than half that much by making the decorations, putting them up and taking them down. Those same students will be attending the prom too.

"It's been tough with the economy this year," says Brown. She thought the prom committee would be easy. Instead it's turning into real sweat, equity work. She tells seniors, "Appreciate it please, it's taken a lot of work."

Seniors going to the prom are also cutting back. Derek Splittgaber will trim $10 off last year's $250 budget. "Probably won't spend as much money on my suit, find the cheapest one I can," says Splittgaber. He'll also look for the best deal on a limo and cut back on the graduation parties and trips.

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