Once again, the Spring season is upon us, annually christened by the warmer air, blooming flowers, and of course, a prom craze that Mason students prove can never start too early. As soon as someone says the "P" word, date options begin dropping like bad habits and the scramble for corsages, dresses, and dinner reservations turns the halls into a daily soap opera. 

"The prom has evolved since my day. It was no big deal when I went to high school. If you had enough money, you went and maybe you’d take a date, but life didn’t stop for the prom," said history teacher Steven Ward.

So what is it about the high school prom that causes the upheaval of the already drama-filled teenage lives three months before it even happens? Mason students seemed to agree that the prom has built its success off the romantic aura that leaves teenagers dwelling in false expectations. 

"It’s Hollywood’s fault. We grow up watching these movies that completely endorse the prom. You’ve got to have the perfect date and the perfect dress because it’s the night you’re supposed to fall in love," said senior Sara Kallio.

"It’s definitely a romantic night. It’s an excuse for people who really have feelings for each other to get together," said junior Matt Bond.

Whether the date circumstance is romantic or platonic, one prom tradition is slowly changing. At one time, it would’ve been strange for a girl to ask the boy to the prom, but this situation has recently become more common and in certain cases, the girls are even willing to pay for all the expenses. 

"I asked my date to homecoming and prom because I was tired of waiting to be asked. Some guys are too shy so there’s no reason why I shouldn’t have taken the initiative," said senior Mary Prendergast.

"I prefer not to be Sadie Hawkins’d. I’m a traditional kind of guy, but I agree that for some guys it’s just the best thing. But if the girl asks, she’s got to pay," said senior Chris Geurtsen.

Although prom is considered a couples night, very few people attend the dance with just a date. Going in groups, whether it be a collection of friends or of different couples, is a new trend that has caught on quickly.

"The group atmosphere is just better. The guy still pays for his date, but you both can eat dinner with all your friends and without the extra tension of entertaining one person," said senior David Lowe. 

Despite the pre-conceived notions concerning dates to the prom, many students, males in particular, have decided that they don’t want to lay down extra cash on a date. With the cost of a tuxedo, and then the expenses of tickets, dinner, corsages and sometimes even limos, prom can amount to almost four hundred dollars. Senior Ben Dietz is one student who would rather not pay that amount, and for his senior prom, he will be going with his best friend David Cai.

"I’m not going to take someone if there’s no one I really want to go with. Then I’d have to pay all this extra money. D Cai and I will have more fun together, and if one of us is on court, we both will get in free," said Dietz. 

As the prom evolves and the once trivial event becomes a lasting high school memory, students agree that the heart of the evening remains the same as it’s always been. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding it, it is still an evening of glitz, companionship and maybe young love.

"I don’t think it matters who you go with or what you wear. It’s just a chance for friends to get together, dress formally, and most importantly, to dance all night. You can’t really go wrong with those things," said senior Kari Lewis.