Prom nights have gone from simple dances in the gym to lavish affairs
Prom night: Versace or Prada?
Not so long ago high school seniors celebrated graduation night with small dances in school gyms. Today's proms can set parents back tens of thousands of shekels
TEL AVIV - Should we go to a hotel or a function hall? Wear a Versace or a Prada dress? Dance to a DJ or a live band?
No, these questions are not the sole realm of couples planning to get married this June, but of tens of thousands of Israeli high school seniors, currently completing not only their final year of school, but also their plans for lavish graduation night parties throughout the country.
In the coming month, as students cram for matriculation exams, thousands will find the time to order limousines, reserve hotel rooms, rent tuxedoes and get fitted for formal dresses.
Just a decade ago, graduating seniors made do with simple graduation night celebrations in the school gym.
But all that changed six years ago, when students began copying the high school proms many of them saw in movies, by hiring out five-star hotels and expensive function halls for their extravagant parties.
In doing so, students and their parents bypassed Education Ministry rules limiting the cost of end-of-year parties to NIS 280 (about USD 65).
NIS 450-650 a ticket
Ministry officials say they are familiar with the phenomenon, but say they are powerless to stop it because parents help and often encourage the graduates make plans.
“It is a cheap imitation of an American custom that not only costs a lot of money, but also has no connection to finishing school,” says Leah Rosenberg Pedagogy Authority head.
Currently, a grad night party for Tel Aviv-area high schools can cost anywhere from NIS 10,000-70,000 (USD 2,300-16,000). The more students the event attracts, the more organizers are able to lower the price for each student.
At the end of the day, parents may be asked to fork over anywhere from NIS 450-650 (about USD 104-150) and more, including the required payment for the official school party and a class photo.
Alcohol prohibited but common
Ben Ribaski, owner of Sky, which plans graduation night parties, says he started planning this year's grandiose affairs six months ago.
He says most parents are involved with the planning and give their children a free hand to make plans, often limiting only alcohol consumption.
Despite this, Ribaski says the students manage to find copious amounts of alcohol, leave the bottles in their cars, and duck out every once in a while to drink.
Yaniv Levi, a senior at Rottenberg School in Ranana and organizer of his school's prom, says the school’s parents association helped pick a company to produce its grad night.
The school's prom will take place at the Dan Panorama in Tel Aviv and will include a formal dinner and guest performers, he says.
Business support, parents still pay
He also says the group is raising money to help offset the cost to participants. While some local businesses have assisted, Levi says the parent’s organization may still be forced to pony up tens of thousands of shekels.
In addition, Levi says 25 of his classmates have reserved hotel rooms, in order to continue their celebrations throughout the night, and have asked the hotel management for a group rate.
Typical costs
- Prom ticket - NIS 450-650 (USD 104-150)
- Tuxedo - NIS 3,300 (USD 750)
- Evening gown - NIS 870-3,300 (USD 198-750)
- Hair - NIS 300 (USD 68)
- Hotel room - NIS 750 per night (USD 170)
