The Snowflake Soirée or the Spring Semi-Formal, previously known as Turnabout, is largely considered at PV as just another dance, but that could not be further from the truth.
The Prom afterparty, often referred to as RAP, is fundraised for throughout the year through multiple different avenues and is collectively organized by the PTA and Social Committee, but this year RAP may look different than previous years.
After a lower turnout from the Snowflake Soirée than anticipated, the budget for RAP is far lower than expected at this point in the year. According to Becca Hahm, President of the Social Committee, “We no longer can survive on the budget we have and have to go out of our way to fundraise for the 2024 Prom. This additional fundraising that we have to do could affect the outcome and quality of this year and years to come.”
In recent years, the interest in attending this dance has most definitely fallen, with many disregarding the dance entirely, and now the effects of that change are finally catching up to PV.
Hahm provided more information about the process as a whole, mentioning how she currently has, “no information as to how much money the PTA has regarding renting the BettPlex and paying for all the amenities provided for RAP. But the PTA was expecting more turnout at the dance, the Snowflake Soirée was one of the PTA’s larger fundraisers for this year’s RAP party.”
She also criticizes the PTA for reducing the Social Committee’s budget over the last five years, and that, “though the PTA was permitted to do this I feel there needs to be a change in terms of the amount they are allowed to receive from us.”
The current outlook from Hahm suggests a bleak future for RAP and a certain amount of limitations on what they can do in the current system. Still, there are less negative interpretations of the situation too.
Kathryn Buchter, advisor to the Social Committee provided her insight. “I cannot speak for the Snowflake Soirée. We do take that money to go to RAP and we did profit so they are appreciative of that and it is still a positive for them.” This conflicts with Becca’s statements but doesn’t outright disagree with the idea that they had poor results this year.
While the exact information surrounding RAP may not be very well-known, there will be damage done by students’ waning interest in school dances like the Spring Semi-Formal which could bode negatively for future years.
folu a • Apr 28, 2024 at 11:58 pm
This is a good topic to talk about for people who are planning to attend an after party after prom.
zaine • Apr 14, 2024 at 10:47 pm
This is a good topic to bring attention to because of how many people really like going to prom and especially RAP and the fact that the funds for it are lower than usual may be concerning for students.
zaine • Apr 14, 2024 at 10:45 pm
This is a good topic to be let known because of how important prom is and how many people would like to attend the after party. Publishing this article will help bring attention to the lack of funds for this years RAP.
Andrew Leonard • Apr 14, 2024 at 9:02 pm
I personally have not attended many dances at the school during my 4 years here. I do plan on attending Prom and afterparty since it is my Senior year. I didn’t realize that the Spring Semi-Formal was a fundraiser for RAP. Maybe other fundraisers could be held earlier in the year and throughout the entire year to try for more opportunity to make money.
Nick Puthoff • Apr 7, 2024 at 2:32 pm
This is good to bring to attention for the students that plan on attending the Prom after party. The after party is a very big thing for a lot of the kids that attend because of all the activities that you can do with your friends.