Krystal Wayne is a regular columnist for the Grizzly Gazette's Opinion page. "Reflections of a senior" column about how it feels to be a senior about to graduate. Feel free to tell us your own reflections by writing a letter to the editor.

Monday to Friday, August to June, seniors are spending enormous amounts of money, just to make sure that we are included in the festivities of senior year. People say that every penny adds up, but in a senior’s perspective every hundred dollars adds up—and it adds up very, very, fast.

Primarily seniors are required to purchase a cap and gown. Alone that is approximately $50. Next, we are encouraged to purchase the little lanyard that hangs from the cap, which usually runs at $12. There’s also the senior pictures, the ones that you hand out to friends, and the one you put in the year book. Now, depending on which photographer you choose that could be as little as $50 to as expensive as $300. Unfortunately, the total before Christmas break is roughly around $200 to $500.

Then there are the formal dances which seniors are expected and encouraged to attend. Senior girls usually spend at least one-hundred and fifty dollars. Senior boys may spend a little more, but usually they just purchase dinner. For prom however, the amount of spending money quickly rises. Seniors can spend five-hundred dollars on prom! This places the cash registry at one thousand dollars at least!

Seniors can not forget Grad Night and senior day at Disneyland. These two trips are also quite pricey. Seniors in Journalism who want to attend the NSPA convention and award ceremony in Anaheim this year must pay $411.50.

Seniors also want a yearbook, so they can remember all of their friends. The yearbook is $60. Pictures from graduation night (pictures that many seniors and parents cannot do without), tack on another $50. The final check for senior year is usually cashed in at about $2,000.

I am not sure how wealthy my fellow seniors are, but I know that I can not even afford the Journalism trip by myself (my two wonderful brothers are paying for my trip)! How am I supposed to get the rest of this “pocket change” to pay for those “must have” trips and items for senior year? Truthfully, I am utterly surprised that some parents actually buy all of this stuff! Is it not obvious that not all of this junk is needed?

Fortunately, I am not at all wealthy, and I am glad that I am not. I think my lack of wealth has put all of my senior year’s expenses into context. I am perfectly capable of saying that I do not need all the extravagance to have a great senior year.

I realize that it is not necessary to go to Grad Night or senior day at Disneyland. I would more thoroughly enjoy sitting in my friend’s living room watching movies until two in the morning. I do not need an expensive yearbook; I have plenty of memorable memories stashed in my Myspace photos. I am not going to buy a $100 dress for prom because I could make one for cheaper than that, and I would enjoy making it far more than I would if I was shopping for it. Is it necessary to buy all of those Jostens invitations when a family member or friend would treasure a home made invitation so much more?

I do not think seniors realize the lack of initiative, spontaneity and creativity that actually comes from buying everything. Clearly I lack the understanding of the point of just spending money; I more enjoy experiences where money is not object. I know that all the expensive festivities are supposed to make senior year more enjoyable, but truthfully, I just feel left out and a bit upset that everything has to be so expensive. What ever happened to free or cheap experiences where prices are lowered (or non existent) because there are happy things to celebrate? I now think that everything is price oriented and people just care about the money, not the attached experience or the people unable to do said things. I guess what I am trying to say is: “Underclassmen save your money, because you’re really going to need it when senior year rolls around!”