Warren HS prom attendance down this year

Warren Township High School's prom attendance slipped 12 percent this year, and Principal Doug Domeracki thinks he knows why.

"I think one of the things that caused that is economics -- the rising cost of gas," the head of the Almond Road campus for upperclassmen told the Warren District 121 school board recently.

Student population shifts and other factors affect prom attendance, but the sagging economy was also cited as a possible reason at a couple of other suburban schools.

Newly minted Warren graduate Jeremy Horwitz of Gurnee said he knew of students who didn't attend prom May 3 because higher gas prices and other costs affected finances. He said he hopes school officials explore ways to hold down future prom expenses.

Horwitz spent $130 on two prom tickets, $125 for tuxedo rental and $15 on flowers. He said his prom date contributed $30 for the cost of a limousine ride shared with other couples from Gurnee to the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

"It's just like everywhere, there were a whole lot of costs," he said.

Warren's prom attendance was about 1,160, down from last year's 1,300, Domeracki said. A smaller junior class may have been another factor, he added.

Libertyville High School's prom attendance dipped from 466 to 426 this year. Student council sponsor Chuck Beach said he suspects the economy led to the 9 percent drop for prom, which cost $160 per couple.

Naperville Central High School's prom attendance slipped from 888 teenagers to 788 this year. Lynne Nolan, dean of student activities, said officials speculated a combination of the economy and the fact juniors can attend next year led to the drop, as well as prom being the same night as Naperville North High School.

However, some schools reported prom attendance increases.

Despite a $5 increase to $65, Lake Zurich High School sold 768 tickets this year compared to 717 in 2007. That's a 7 percent attendance hike.

Mundelein High School's attendance jumped nearly 11 percent to 510 prom tickets sold, even with a $10 price hike to $60.

Naperville North also had a $5 price hike to $120. While attendance fell 6 percent from 704 individuals to 664, junior board adviser Geri Armitage said the change wasn't significant.

"Our numbers fluctuate every year based on the size of a given class and the number of individuals who want to attend prom," Armitage said.