Graduation can be costly

HOUSTON —It’s a day filled with accomplishment, excitement, anxiety and relief — a day students have been dreaming about for years. Graduation is not only a celebration of completing a massive 13 years of schooling, but also a right of passage that has been around for decades.

Yet for the past few years, proud seniors all over the Valley have been spending almost as much time fund-raising as they do hitting the books.

A lavish graduation ceremony isn’t cheap, and Houston High seniors are really feeling the pressure this year as the responsibility for their class to raise the full amount rests on their shoulders.

As the grumbles about another fund-raiser fill the halls and homes, the argument of fairness reaches its peak. Senior year should be relatively laid back and a last chance to really have some fun, but the constant fund-raisers make it hard to find a chance to relax.

At Houston, we’ve had one major fund-raiser, two smaller ones and we are constantly being reminded of the remaining balance we need to raise in order to have a nice graduation ceremony.

It’s been discussed that not every single senior is going to put effort into a fund-raiser, but there will always be a small group of students who really go outside the box to make sure they sell more than they are required. The fact that many just don’t care puts a lot more pressure on those who would like to invite their families to a formal celebration to sell, sell, sell!

Normally, the extra pressure would prove to be more motivational, but during senior year, it can be extremely overwhelming to have to fund-raise while worrying about scholarships, SATs, ACTs and passing classes with the grades they want.

Just last week, Houston seniors were gathered for a meeting to remind us that we still need to raise a minimum of $1,200 in the next two months if we want to have a ceremony and senior fun day. Fund-raising ideas such as a car wash, a bake sale and even making quesadillas were tossed around as chatter about graduation filled the room.

What many don’t understand is why the seniors have to raise such a large amount and why the district doesn’t cover more of the costs.

According to the district office, every high school in the Valley must raise money for graduation, and the district provides some funding as well.

Many think that since the seniors put in years of dedicated learning, testing and participation that make the district look better, officials should want to help out more with the costs of graduation.

Senior year can be seen, without a doubt, as the most expensive year in school. Not only are seniors racking their brains constantly for new fund-raising ideas to make sure that their class gets the goodbye they deserve, but also at the beginning of the year Jostens comes around selling those memorable, yet expensive, graduation packages.

The packages range from $150 and skyrocket to over $300 for announcements, thank-you cards, shirts, hoodies, tassels, and caps and gowns.

Seniors can purchase just a cap and gown or add in any item they want, but for many seniors it was a temptation to buy a large package that would be a reminder to this year, and many of them gave in to the temptation.

After the package, you’d already owe quite a bit because even the cap and gown alone are $40. If the package wasn’t enough and you wanted a ring as well, you’d owe another $100 to $600.

Graduation isn’t just a time for the seniors, it’s a time for parents to show pride in how far their kids have come. To show some appreciation, senior ads can be purchased in the yearbook for anywhere between $60 and $250.

So after you’ve taken care of collecting memories from your senior year, you could be paying anywhere from $200 to $1,150 depending on how much you spend on each item.

It’s a frustrating situation to do well in all of your classes, spend big bucks on your senior items and then be expected to raise funds the entire year to pay for your own graduation.

Aside from seniors celebrating their success, graduation represents hard work from the teachers who make it possible for students to excel in anything they do. To show their pride and appreciation, the district should reconsider how much they cover and be more willing to pay for this important event.

Kylie Boepple is a senior at Houston High School.