When it Comes to Prom and Graduation ...

I am a high school graduate. I am now an alumni of Mepham High School. I still can not believe it. The past few days have been nothing but a blur, and a pain in my wallet.

When one thinks about their senior prom, they consider all of the fun: pumping music, spending time with their date and the ever so exciting limo ride to their after-prom party. What one may not stop to think about is the money.

The money spent on hair, limo, dress, prom tickets, after-prom, shoes and accessories is a crazy amount – easily $500, maybe more. And let us not forget all the drama that may ensue during the pursuit for a perfect prom night. Yes, you may fight with nearly everyone and be completely broke but there is nothing more amazing than the feeling of getting into your limo, knowing that you are going to your prom and nothing is going to stop you from having the best night you can.

At least that’s how it was for me.

Prom is a very stressful occasion, I kid you not. I fought with so many of my friends over dates, limos and after-prom locations that I truly began to think I should have just cut my hair off before I ripped it out myself.

But I can only offer some advice that may help you in the future with your prom planning:

1. Decide who you want in your limo as soon as you can.
2. Make sure that everyone who will be in the limo is alright with everything. There is nothing worse than a fight occurring within your prom limo – you are asking for a disaster.
3. Send everyone a copy of the limo contract complete with contact information.
4. Be open to suggestions for after-prom plans, you never know what could happen.
5. Discuss limo fees with EVERYONE involved. Do not let one person handle the entire bill.
6. Make a night out of reviewing possible choices and how much it will cost per person.
7. Don’t be afraid of discussion – it’s better to be honest than lie.
8. Do not let anyone ruin your night.
9. Have fun – this night is about you so you should enjoy it!

I hope these tips can help anyone who may be attending a prom in the future. But now let's move on to graduation day.

It is said that your graduation day from high school is one of the most important in your life – and maybe it is. It is your final chance to be with your classmates of the past 12 years and look around to acknowledge those who you have grown up with.

And as I stood outside of the NYCB Theatre at Westbury, feeling sweat begin to form through the heavy maroon cap and gown, I realized that this is it. After today I am never going to see more than half of these people again – unless I choose to attend a reunion of course, but that will not occur for maybe 20 years or so!

And then I was walking into my graduation and I felt like I was in a movie – running up the long dark tunnel, grasping my cap as to not slip off my head and then seeing the lights blaring at me, an arena of people cheering me on. The music was blasting as I walked into my seat and then I felt as if I was having an out-of-body experience listening to the speeches I would remember forever.

I hope you can remember at least one phrase from your valedictorian's speech on graduation day. I know for sure I will remember Steven Tsai’s “We … are … awesome,” comment during his address.

And promise me this, try to remember the feeling when you are walking up to get your diploma – everyone is watching you and your name is being announced to the crowded arena and everyone claps for you. Then you get off the stage, and it’s all over.

The past four years when you have been slaving away in class to do the very best that you can do is over. It is amazing how quickly time can fly and if you don’t stop to take a moment to look around and appreciate it, then you are going to miss it. I walked out of my commencement ceremony and said goodbye to my life in Bellmore.

In less than two months I will be moving out to Oneonta and will begin a whole new chapter of my life, and I intend to make sure I don’t miss one second of it. I hope you will do the same.