Sue Morrow: No senior should miss prom because of cost

With the economic crisis and record unemployment in Nevada, I was concerned when I learned that a ticket for Carson High School's senior prom had a price tag of $55.

The event includes dinner, dancing and transportation to the Hyatt Regency Resort at Incline Village. Although certainly a bargain, I wondered if it would be affordable for some students or their parents.

My concerns were allayed, however, when I spoke with student activities director Jennifer Tartan.

"We have some really generous members of the community who are donating money for students' tickets," she said.

Tartan vowed that students who want to attend the prom but can't manage the cost "can come to me, and I will find a way."

She said the price was kept to a minimum thanks to a number of fundraisers during the school year. Without the money raised, tickets would have been $72, so $55 "is quite a bargain," Tartan said.

Senior Teresa Anaya and four of her friends who need financial help to attend the prom organized a flapjack fundraiser at Applebee's recently and raised about $200, Anaya told me. The ticket sales weren't as good as she had hoped, but the proceeds will mean $40 each toward the prom's cost.

"There's always a way to do things if you stay motivated," Anaya told me.

The prom, she said, is the last time "all of us seniors are going to be together. We're all going to go off in different directions (after graduation)," said Anaya, who is going to be sworn into the U.S. Air Force and hopes to be a medical student.

Anaya works at a restaurant after school and on weekends to pay for her car and cell phone. "I'm sure I'll make it to the prom," she said with conviction.

Also under way are efforts to obtain donations of prom-appropriate dresses for those who can't afford them. Gently used prom, bridesmaids and cocktail dresses are wanted. Drop-off locations are Body and Soul, 205 E. John St., phone 841-1155, and Sugar Pine Cove, 1910 E. College Parkway, phone 884-4603.

I found four timeless dresses in exceptionally good condition including a chiffon gown, a black number with spaghetti straps and two other fancy dresses in my spare closet. It was immensely gratifying to able to help out and at the same time divest myself of too-small garments.

If you want to donate to help a Carson High senior go to prom, call Jennifer Tartan at 283-1747.

• Sue Morrow is a longtime journalist and member of the Nevada Newspaper Hall of Fame. She many be reached at soozymorrow@yahoo. com.