Some have asked, some have yet to, but despite one’s place in the drama, winter formal tickets officially went on sale Tuesday, January 5. While anticipation continues to grow, many girls are finding themselves in an annoying position. It is high school formality that girls pay for both themselves and their dates for formal, and guys pay for prom. However, formal occurs all four years and prom is only two—junior and senior year. Therefore, girls are “supposed” to pay every year, and guys only two. This idea is managing to displease many girls.

This year, formal ticket prices start at $90 per couple, rising by the week and eventually reaching $130 the week before the big night. The complaints naturally arise more often from freshmen and sophomore girls, because they do not get to participate in prom yet.

Freshman Shea O’Hill said, “I don’t have a job besides babysitting here and there. I feel like the younger students are being expected to pay prices that we can’t earn yet. It’s the juniors and seniors that have steady jobs. I don’t really want to ask my parents to pay, but I guess I’ll have to.”

Like O’Hill, several other students are feeling pressured to consult with their parents about the expensive tickets. The mandatory age to have a job is 15½ years old. Between freshmen and sophomores, this age already eliminates most freshmen. As a group, the older students most likely have the higher incomes, both juniors and seniors exceeding 15½ years old. There is also allowance to consider.

Freshman Annie Alvarado said, “My older sister is a senior, and I get half the allowance she gets.”

Some formal couples have decided to overlook the idea that the girl should pay for both tickets and have agreed to pay individually. In this case, it would only be fair to do the same when prom rolls around. Still others think of it tradition for the girl to pay for formal. In any event, whether couples decide to acknowledge costs or customs, winter formal is sure to be worth the money.