De Soto High School’s prom committee has recently been hard at work to raise additional money needed to cover the dance’s expenses. Due to a last-minute venue change, the prom committee had to raise around $2,000 more than they had originally planned for.

The venue was changed with only about a month left until the dance.

“I had been calling our previous venue and had left multiple messages and they weren’t returning my call until two weeks later when I was able to set up a time to meet with them,” said prom committee sponsor Caroline Friday. “The management and sales coordinator had all changed since I had booked the previous year, and they were not willing to do any of the things we had talked about when I originally signed the contract and made the deposit.”

The hotel’s new management insisted that the dance end at 10 p.m. as to avoid loud music disrupting guests, as well denied access to the balcony for pictures during the dance.

Luckily, Friday was able to find a new location on such short notice.

“I was able to get the ballroom at the Double Tree in Overland Park, but unfortunately it is twice the cost and we are not allowed to bring in our own food,” Friday said.

Last year, food was donated by parents and greatly assisted in the fundraising efforts. However, the Double Tree does not permit the school to bring in any food that they offer for catering, and this has also added to the cost of prom this year.

However, prom committee has had some assistance in the fundraising effort.

“We were really lucky that Custom Foods here in De Soto heard about our situation and donated $750 and we are incredibly thankful,” Friday said. “We still have a lot to do to get enough money for snacks and decorations, but I am hoping with ticket sales we are able to get it done.”

In order to reach the fundraising goal, Friday asks that students buy tickets early and participate in fundraisers held at school.

According to prom committee president Payton Faddis, “getting other students to participate in the fundraisers” has been the hardest part of organizing the dance this year.

The final fundraiser before prom will be a hat day on April 27. Students can bring $1 and wear a hat all school day to support prom.