In life, there are opportunities that present themselves that some students take and others don’t. For example, all the senior activities. 

I remember as a freshman I would hear seniors walking down the hallway say, “Senior year is the most expensive year,” and now I understand why. 

Freshman and sophomore year are the only two years that aren’t many things we would spend money on since we could just go to Winter Ball and Homecoming. Starting off as a freshman we would say that senior year is far, and with a blink of the eye, senior year came by fast. 

Senior year is financially straining for many students, with Winter Ball, Prom, Cap and Gown, yearbook, diploma cover, Grad Nite, and the Hawaii trip. However, it’s a one time experience and it’s going to lead to memorable moments that can make the investment worth our time and money. Despite the heavy price tag, many students and parents find the benefit and see that we are going to have fun for the last time as high schoolers.

The senior package provides 5 things and the total cost for it would be $575. Without the senior packet, the original price for those things would be $665. Which is $90 more. The senior package includes:

• Senior Sweater: $50
• Yearbook: $100
• Diploma Cover: $0
• Grand Nite: $400
• Panoramic Picture: $25

Seniors want to attend all the various school dances and senior trips. From the excitement that it’s our last year and we want to go at least once in our high school experience. Here are some prices of events (based on last year’s early bird pricing). If you do all these activities, the total cost would be “around” $2,519, ($2429, if you purchase the Senior Package).

• Homecoming: $15
• Winter Ball: $50 
• Prom: $90
• Grand Nite: $450
• Yearbook: $110
• Panoramic Picture: $35
• Senior Sweater: $60
• Hawaii Trip: $1,629
• Cap & gown: $70
• Diploma Cover: $10 

The Winter Ball and Prom tickets over time will rise. The first week they start selling them would be the prices I provided. 

The school does provide a way students can earn money. They provide chocolates to sell and help pay for some of our senior expenses. A box of 60 chocolates earns $30. Sell more than twenty boxes to earn $600, which covers the cost of the senior package. 

Selling boxes doesn’t necessarily have to go to the senior package; it can pay for other expenses as well – library fees or Prom, for example.. 

However, it will not cover all the expenses. For example, you cannot pay for the Hawaii trip or the cap and gown with funds from chocolate sales because those are outside vendors. . 

Some people might argue that these things aren’t necessary or worth it. They argue that you can go to Disneyland or Hawaii for a lot less, which may be true. But it’s worth it trying to do most of these things because these activities are an important chapter in our life and are a great milestone. Sure, you can go to Disneyland and Hawaii on your own and maybe even for a cheaper price, but you may not get to go with friends you’ve known for four or more years. Participating in these events can make our final year of high school memorable and truly special. 

While the yearbook isn’t “necessary,” it is a powerful reminder of your last year (and proof you went to high school), and it has sold out the past three years, so it’s like a limited edition book.

Of all the expenses, the cap and gown is something you need to get everything else is optional. But, if you have a family member or even a friend that came to Alisal and their cap and gown fits, you will save like $70.  

Personally, “I want to make the most of my senior year and not have any regrets later on.” I’m planning on doing everything, even the Hawaii trip. My dad is paying for the Hawaii trip and my mom is paying Grand Nite and prom expenses. “I’m also going to sell chocolate boxes and give them to my dad, grandpa, and my uncle so they can sell them in the fields, since they sell fast over there.” I am only planning on selling 10 boxes. My grandpa overheard me talking to my parents about the money and told me that he wanted to give me $500 for my senior expenses. 

I understand that not everyone has the financial support that I do, but everyone has the opportunity to do all the school sponsored events they are interested in, provided they’re willing to sell some chocolate, which most people are willing to buy.  These experiences, and this year, only come once in our lifetime. This is the reason why I am trying to do everything senior year offers me. I want to have all these memorable experiences to have a story to tell in the future.