Evelyn Mondragon is a reporter for the Wildcat Chronicle who occasionally writes opinion pieces. The views expressed here belong solely to the author.

When students first heard that prom ticket prices would be capped at $100 beginning after the 2026 school year, many immediately assumed downtown Chicago proms were over.

Student reactions ranged from confusion to frustration, especially for underclassmen who have not yet experienced prom. Discussion surrounding the future of WEGO prom was renewed after students attended and shared photos from this year’s May 1 prom at the Museum of Science and Industry.

The decision to cap prom ticket prices, which may make downtown venues more difficult financially, frustrated some students, especially because many felt the student body was not adequately included in the discussion. In an Instagram poll conducted by the Wildcat Chronicle, 60% of 144 respondents said students did not feel included in conversations surrounding future prom changes.

A tradition students value

The first destination-style prom was held in 2014, and since then, traveling to downtown Chicago has become a tradition for students. Because WEGO does not have a post-prom, Student Council has historically planned a large destination-style event to make the experience more memorable.

Over the years, ticket sales have remained strong, with over 600 students attending in recent years. This year’s attendance may have been even higher because students knew it could be one of the last opportunities to experience a downtown prom.

Location plays an important role in creating a special night and making prom memorable for students — something wonderful to look back on, rather than something they regret.

Students wanted more input

Some students and Student Council members have expressed frustration that they were not fully included in the decision-making process. According to school communication, the change is tied to a $100 ticket cap meant to reduce financial burdens on families, but students argue that the Chicago experience is worth the higher cost.

“I was very disappointed,” Student Council adviser Candace Fikis said. “I was very disappointed that this decision was made without the consultation of Student Council.”

Fikis also said Student Council had discussed ways to help make downtown prom more affordable.

“Student Council for years has been surveying students and parents to get their input, and the input has been overwhelmingly that we want to continue with a venue in the city,” Fikis said.

Another issue students raised was transportation. A downtown prom typically includes organized transportation, while students originally feared a local prom would require students to find their own transportation to and from the event. This brought up concerns about accessibility and safety for students who may not have reliable transportation.

Chicago prom is still possible

However, interviews conducted by the Wildcat Chronicle revealed that administration is not banning downtown Chicago proms entirely. Instead, district leadership placed a cap on how much students can be charged for prom tickets.

“We never said you couldn’t go back downtown,” Superintendent Dr. Kurt Johansen said. “We just capped the price.”

Johansen explained that if Student Council or student organizations fundraise enough money to offset additional costs, future downtown proms are still possible while keeping ticket prices at $100.

Principal Dr. Limaris Pueyo shared a similar perspective.

“The administrators didn’t remove students’ ability to go downtown,” Pueyo said. “It was simply the cap on the price.”

Transportation may also still be possible in the future.

“Everybody would have to meet at the high school, load on buses and go to the venue,” Johansen said. “It’d be the exact same.”

Administration also emphasized that the decision was based largely on affordability concerns for WEGO families.

“We know that you’re paying for the ticket, but you’re also paying for your attire, your hair, your makeup, your nails,” Pueyo said. “There’s a lot more costs associated with it than just the ticket.”

Those concerns are understandable. Prom can become extremely expensive, especially when students are also paying for dresses, tuxedos, flowers, dinner, and photos. Making prom more affordable could allow more students to attend.

At the same time, many students still believe the downtown experience is what makes WEGO prom unique.

“I had no less than 100 students come up to me throughout the night [on May 1] and tell me how much they loved prom,” Fikis said. “They loved that we had this grand ballroom, and it made them feel very special and unique.”