Turner Today
By Rachel Johnson
Homecoming- one of the largest school-wide events of the year, second only to prom: the thing that all prior pep rallies and theme-days lead up to in a drawn-out dedication to spirit for high schools all over the district. But how much money exactly does this event typically put students out of pocket? With the football game, the dance, and especially the mums and garters, prices can add up pretty fast—so is it all worth it?
“Yeah it’s fun, if you go with people,” said Jessica Gallardo, senior.
This year, the prices were set for the dance with a 30-dollar fee in advance, and a 40-dollar fee at the door. This did not include the prices for the football game (3-5 dollars for students, depending on time of purchase), not to mention the cost of the elaborate mums and garters crafted by strong-willed students with pennies to spare.
“My sister made a mum for me, it’s massive. It was a lot of money,” Gallardo said.
For seniors especially, these expenditures can cause quite a dent in an already tight financial situation, with caps and gowns costing 50 dollars, college applications ranging from 30-70 dollars, costly senior photos, and other various, pocket-pinching, senior-oriented events throughout the school year.
“I’d say that it’s about $75 for a freshman mum, $100 for sophomores, $125 for juniors, and for seniors, it really depends.” Lexi Keeter, also a senior, estimated to be the average prices students spend on making these mums—and that’s a lot on average!
Homecoming: The Aftermath
And yet, by the end of the day of the game, the halls are littered in lost tokens that have fallen from these expensive homecoming adornments- it’s a hobby lobby massacre. But homecoming’s supposed to be fun, right- it’s a high school experience:
“You should go to homecoming with friends, you don’t have to have a date to go.” Gallardo offered as advice to kids torn on whether to partake in the festivities or not.
So how should students approach this event if they want to participate in full, but without all the financial hassle? Lexi Keeter, taking on the title of “mum doctor” this homecoming, set up a small business to help kids put together their mums and garters. Keeter explained to me how she crafted her own senior mum, a huge thing complete with small decorative chandelier, photo frames, lights, and 6 chrysanthemum flowers, altogether amounting to the size of at least two… small children. So how much did this endeavor take out of her pocket? Not as much as you’d think.
“Save money by putting together old mums.” Keeter advised, pointing out pieces from previous mums she’d incorporated into her new creation - almost completely made from recycled homecoming material. Other money saving tips she recommends?
“Curl ribbon to make your mum (or garter) look bigger. Always the dollar store,” Keeter said.
So maybe it’s not quite as expensive after all. One may not be able to change the entry price for the game and the dance, but with these tips on mum and garter making, you might have a little money to save for future endeavors: especially if your senior year is coming up. Tackle that monster of a mum (or garter) and happy saving next year.
“I enjoyed it,” said Clarissa Carreon, junior, about her homecoming experience. "But the DJ was really bad.”
Well, maybe homecoming still needs a little shine around the edges. Good luck everybody!