Prom is a special time for juniors and seniors to get dressed up and have fun together.
As the 2025 school year comes to a close, University Academy Upper School students are on edge for one of the most anticipated nights of the year.
Prom is a special event that brings juniors and seniors together for one last hoorah. University Academy opens up prom for upperclassmen only, which makes it all the more exclusive.
Prom this year will be held on Saturday, May 3. The dance will take place at Lula Southern Cookhouse in downtown Kansas City. For anyone planning to attend with another person, the combined ticket price is $70. A single ticket is $40. The theme is yet to be announced, which is keeping lots of students on their toes.
Students are already in preparation mode as they pick out outfits, coordinate plans, and keep track of how many days are left until the big night.
A’Kiya Kincaid, a UA senior, said she is looking to spend around $2,000. She said her dress is going to be around $1,800, and she will also be spending money on hair, nails, lashes, gas, jewelry, heels and food.
Prom can tend to be one of the most expensive events high school students go through. This can leave room for nerves, anxiety and even stress to creep up on students, more specifically, juniors who are experiencing prom for the first time.
Carisa Germain, a UA junior, said, “I know that these seniors can dress, and I don’t want to disappoint.”
As juniors feel like they have big shoes to fill, the seniors are there to help. Seniors are taking on the role of being unofficial mentors and offering advice and reassurance to people who may be coming to prom for the first time. Kincaid recommends people start getting their dresses beforehand in case any complications arise.
She said, “Plan everything accordingly. If you rush to go somewhere, you don’t look as nice because you can tell when someone takes a while to get ready. Make enough time for yourself.”
For those experiencing prom for the first time, nerves are natural. From worrying about how the night will unfold to wondering if reality will actually match expectations, it’s a big moment. In the end, the most important thing is to relax and have fun.
Aside from the actual dance, many students tend to plan fun after-prom activities with friends or loved ones to continue the fun and exciting night by hanging out with friends or grabbing a quick bite to eat. Instead of hanging around downtown after dark, there are many fun teen-friendly activities to engage in. Top Golf in Overland Park, Kansas, closes at 1 a.m. and starts at $60 per hour. The Rush Funplex is an arcade on Englewood Road in Kansas City. It closes at midnight on Saturdays and has a foam pit, go-karts, bowling and much more.
Germain said, “I’m having a girls’ night with my close friends, and we will do matching pjs and recap the night while also doing skincare.”
As prom nears, hopefully everyone remembers to have fun, dance the night away, and most importantly, be safe.