By Eduardo Calderon | Staff Writer

As prom approaches, many Jaguars realize that they cannot attend because of extracurricular activities.

“The problem is that there are so many activities that someone is always involved, so it’s really hard to find a free weekend,” AP Mitch Brown said.

Events like prom are planned in advance, so extracurricular activities must accommodate it; not the other way around.

“It would be helpful if whoever decides prom dates could see the extracurricular activities,” senior Meagan Hinojosa said, “But it’s hard to tell if we make it or not.”

Although they are dedicated to their extracurricular activities, some Jaguars find prom to be a special occasion that is not worth missing.

“It’s special because we get to hang out one last time with the people we grew up with,” Hinojosa said.

“They have to sort out their priotories between having a fun time at prom, or participating in your extracurricular activities,” junior Maximilian Salmeron said.

Two extracurricular groups that cannot attend this year are winter guard and- if they continue to advance in competition- girl’s soccer

“The conflict is that [winter guard members] don’t get to go to prom cause we’ll be in Dayton, Ohio for nationals,” junior Micaela Campbell said.

Although their conflict is certain, the winter guard members have already set their priorities straight.

“We’ve known for a long time, so we know we couldn’t go,” Campbell said.

For the guard team, the time commitment and focus required for competition makes it an investment worth sacrificing for.

“We put a lot into Winter Guard,” Campbell said. “I choose to go to nationals instead of prom because we put all of our time into it.”

Seniors see things a bit differently, as this is their last year of high school and final shot at a prom night experience.

“It’s not a big deal for juniors, but seniors will miss their senior prom, which is a big deal,” Campbell said.

If students do wish to escape their extracurricular activities to attend prom, there are a few ways to do so in the future.

“I would talk to the sponsors, and help with getting to prom,” Brown said.

Ultimately, the decision is a choice left up to the individual; but few see the value of one night over years of practice.

“They should go wherever their heart is,” Hinojosa said. “If your heart says ‘prom’, then go to prom. But I would go to the game, because of all the hard work we put in.”