The James Logan Courier

By Idrees Najibi, Courier Staff Writer

May 23, 2009, marked the highlight of the year for many James Logan seniors for it was the day that several twelfth graders attended the Senior Ball.

Although this dance was held on a very prestigious cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, with a gourmet buffet and unlimited beverages, these tangible benefits were not the main factors that made the dance worth the price.

Jenelle Gallardo, a senior and Courier staffer who attended the dance believed, “It gave memories, experiences, and time with our fellow classmates.” In addition, senior and fellow Courier writer Sandhaya Mansfield shares a similar opinion with Gallardo for Mansfield responded that, “It gave us the chance to have one last good dance with our graduating class. The night was full of fun and made great memories.”


For these two seniors, the dance seemed to really pay off, because of the priceless memories they were able to share with their fellow classmates. To them, spending quality time with friends, is worth all the trouble and hassle of making payments for all the extra details that are socially necessary for the dance.

Although Gallardo and Mansfield found the dance worth the all of the prior investments, Idy Tao, another fellow Senior Ball attendee, had a difference in opinion.

“I think the experience of partying on a boat was nice. It was a fun night but it would have been better if I had a date or something. I don’t think it was worth one hundred dollars. It’s only fun and worth it if you know a lot of people.” Tao’s opinion is straight forward, no matter how nice the set up for the dance may be, if you are not familiar with the attendants of the dance, then the dance is not worth the money you have to pay.

If you are a ninth, tenth, or eleventh grader who is pondering whether or not your Senior Ball’s monetary investment pays off, keep in mind what your circumstances may be. If you have a good number friends that are going to go to the dance, then you should consider attending, for you rarely obtain the chance to share those priceless moments with your companions.

Conversely, if you are not familiar with some of the students who will be present at the dance, then keep in mind that your time and money spent might not be the best investment for that day.

On a more personal note, I believe that the dance was very enjoyable. I did not have a limo nor did I go to an after party, but the actual dance was filled with fun memories that I will never forget. If you are the type of person who enjoys dancing and sharing special moments with your fellow classmates then the Senior Ball is something your would find as a great pass time. However, if you know you probably will not benefit from the dance, then you do not necessarily have to go. The only reason why this dance appears to be so important is because it has become a social cliché that motivates you to believe that it is highly significant. When it comes time to make the payments for the Senior Ball, make the decision for you, not for social acceptance.