Features Editor and Chief Videographer
From yearbooks to SAT and AP testing, it’s no secret that senior year can be costly. With graduation on the way, expenses are difficult to manage for some Apex High students.
“I’m applying to eight colleges. So that’s around $600 just for college applications,” said senior Siddharth Shankar. Application fees, perhaps the most expensive of senior charges, can hinder or even limit the number of schools a student applies to. Senior Corey Miller said, “I feel that we shouldn’t have to pay $50 to send a paper to a college.” 
Although applications are expensive for students, graduation materials can be just as pricey. Senior Rachel Stephens said, “We did senior portraits, and that was like $500.” Not to mention what is spent on caps and gowns, graduation announcements, and a graduation party, which could easily total hundreds of dollars. Stephens also pointed out that she got a job over the summer, which helped pay for senior expenses.
The effects of these costs can even limit a student’s social life. Stephens said, “I can’t drive as many people around since I never have gas money.” For other students, the cost of senior year may affect food opportunities. “It’s made me unable to buy pizza,” said Senior Corey Miller. Although senior year presents a challenge to students, they can teach a valuable lesson in budgeting for the future.
