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Senior Year of High School Pricey

I Actually Got Paid For Going To School

By Michael P. Neufeld
Tuesday, May 26, 2009

San Bernardino Mountains - As seniors in the Bear Valley and Rim of the World Unified School Districts prepare to walk down the aisle to the strains of "Pomp and Circumstance," the strain on the pocketbook for the Class of 2009 proves one thing - graduating is pricey.

Seniors at high schools in Bear Valley and Rim of the World Unified School Districts are tapping piggy banks for a few extra bucks this year to help pay for graduation expenses. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Grad Night, $75-plus. Cap and gown, $35-plus. Senior pictures, $150-plus. Senior Activity Day, $30. Graduation DVD, $20-plus. Invitations and announcements, varies. College application fees, $50-plus. ACT/SAT test fees, $28-plus. Yearbook, varies by school but about $55-plus. Senior yearbook ads, $50-plus. Class ring, $200-plus. Letterman's jacket, $200-plus.

Then when you add the prom you have additional expenses. Ticket, $75-plus. Tuxedo, $100-plus. Prom dress, $200-plus. Rented Limousine, varies. Flowers, $25-plus.

And those are just some of the expenses the Class of 2009 is facing this year.

I realize the cost of graduating continues to grow each year. Years ago, I wanted a class ring and had to pick tomatoes during the hot summer months to raise the money to pay for the ring.

Our school colors were orange and green and the class voted to have red stones...to remind me of those darn tomatoes.

But I got a cash reward from the school district when I graduated because I had perfect attendance all four years in high school. Guess I couldn't fake illness good enough to fool my Mom.

The superintendent of schools handed me my diploma and an envelope with the cash enclosed because they made money every day I attended classes.

The envelope contained a crisp $5 bill.

With current budget problems, I hardly think the graduates will be getting cash from their respective districts.

Just maybe, the board of trustees will applaud those who made it through all four years without missing class.

Editor's Note: We had senior ditch day back then and it didn't count as an unexcused absence. Since I did miss that day, maybe I'd better send my district the $5 back.

What do you think?

This article was first published on Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 2:24 pm. This article has been viewed 1191 times.

Michael P. Neufeld, Senior News Editor, is a graduate of the Dwight Bentel School of Journalism at San Jose State University. His first job out of San Jose State was with the Associated Press in Los Angeles as overnight Radio Editor. Prior to joining RIMOFTHEWORLD.net, Neufeld was editor of two weekly newspapers—THE MOUNTAIN NEWS and CRESTLINE COURIER-NEWS. He also has experience as editor of an employee newspaper for a major utility company and during his tenure as executive director of the San Jose State University Alumni Association served as faculty advisor to the association's monthly newsletter. He also spent eight years in commercial radio doing everything from news to advertising sales and writing commercials to being an announcer and on-air personality. Neufeld is actively involved the mountain communities including serving as master of ceremonies for the Arrowhead Arts Music Festival held each summer.

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Michael P. Neufeld.