Close to 200 Greater Fort Erie Secondary School (GFESS) students will be hitting the dance floor in a couple of weekends to celebrate a major chapter of their lives coming to a close.
Prom night is set for June 13 at The Brock Niagara Falls-Fallsview and although it will be a memorable occasion, it may also be expensive.
That’s why more than 20 students took several hours out of their Saturday to participate in a car wash fundraiser, bringing in money to offset the cost of the event.
Dozens of people supported a car wash at GFESS on Saturday in an effort to reduce the cost of prom tickets. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie Radio
Attendees were asked to make a monetary donation of some kind on Saturday before having their vehicle swarmed by groups of high schoolers who rinsed, washed, and dried cars as they came in.
The event started at 10 a.m. and more than 30 customers had already shown support by noon when Fort Erie Radio stopped by, according to Mackenzie Arts, head of the school’s prom committee.
Students hard at work on Saturday during a car wash to support costs related to their June 13 prom. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie Radio
Tickets are $90 but would be more if the annual car wash wasn’t taking place again, said Arts.
“It helps make things extra special and helps us get all the things we want,” said Arts, factoring things like food, rental of the venue, a DJ, decorations, and more.
Female students also have hair appointments, and the boys have to look sharp for their dates in a nice suit and shoes as well.
The average prom dress is between $250 and $300, said Arts.
“Everything is expensive,” said math teacher Alison Pridham, who was right in the middle of the operation on Saturday.
Julia Veltman washes a windshield on Saturday. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie Radio
She reiterated the car wash is not a “money-making event” and that it brings in support to lower the cost to attend prom, and also assists a few students individually who maybe can’t afford the $90 ticket.
“We want to make it memorable for everyone and things nowadays are very pricey,” she told Fort Erie Radio.
Ella Buck rinses a vehicle on Saturday. Credit: Kris Dubé | Fort Erie Radio
The prom is a chance for students to “celebrate how far we’ve come” before moving on to their next stage in life, said Arts, with many of her peers headed to a post-secondary education this fall.
But another conversation the school has with students in advance of prom is one about “making good decisions,” said Pridham.
Many will choose to let loose a little, but it’s important for students to know they are still “representing the school,” just not on school property when they attend prom, she said.
About 250 tickets have been sold so far.
Kris Dubé | June 1, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Original Article