It’s no surprise that by their senior year, a student has been in many activities. As they have progressed through school and found where they belong on the social scale, they participate in various activities. Costs for activities and senior-related expenses can really begin to pile up, students can be prepared by learning about what to expect.

“I’m in several different extracurriculars: NHS, StuCo, Student 2 Student, Link Crew, Leadership, ECHO, RHS Review, and the Bully Prevention group. As far as money goes, I probably spend more than I realize,” senior Chloe Myers said.

Usually clubs have t-shirts or merchandise to sell for those participating.

“I buy a T-shirt for several of those clubs I mentioned, so that probably totals around $60. I will spend some for other projects in those I’m doing every once in awhile. I’d say the amount I spend a year total is around $100, so not too terribly much,” Myers said.

With these different extracurricular activities and clubs, the prices vary from what supplies and fees are needed.

“I’m in band, cross country, track, NHS, robotics, Latin Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Money varies, but probably on average I spend $100-200. Sports require lots of time and effort. You have to take care of yourself and your academics in addition to practices. However, it teaches you discipline, responsibility, and dedication,” senior Nate Potrafka said.

The amount of money spent on activities is not all that amounts to the price. There is also the number of hours and the amount of effort put into activities outside the school curriculum.

“Soccer takes up most of my time. I do club soccer in the fall. We have practice two times a week in St. Louis and we work out the days we don’t practice. During soccer season, I have practice everyday and have to pay for all my equipment, t-shirts, and athletic fees [total estimating $200],” senior athlete Brynn Proffitt said.

With all of the different events happening everywhere in the high school, people often overlook the prices of education and college preparation. Advance Placement Tests cost $90 each, the ACT and ACT review is around $60 for both, and dual-credit classes are about $65 per credit hour. On top of that, there are college application fees.

Proffitt has applied to two colleges, Maryville and Rockhurst, with fees of $25 and $30. Potrafka has applied to one that cost $50 and Myers found out that applying to Truman University has no application fee.

“Students usually apply to three or four colleges, sometimes more or less. College application fees vary from the types of school. Ivy League schools can cost more than $100, colleges such as Missouri S&T cost around $50, East Central College and similar colleges don’t require fees,” RHS Registrar Kim Feeler said.

Applications are one of the last major payments to make as a senior, but the very last is graduation and probably the most vital. There is the cap and gown package and the announcements to pay for, on top of that there are extras you can get from Jostens graduation supplies.

“The cap and gown package, including the tassel, comes to be $45. The announcements last year were $1 per card and may be even more depending on what the student ordered. There is a large variety of extras seniors can buy online too, a memory book costs $40; different types of clothing such as: sweatshirts, sweatpants, and t shirts; jewelry, keychains; and more.” Feeler said.

Along with college preparations, club fees, and graduation, there are miscellaneous costs throughout the year. Senior apparel, the yearbook and senior dedication page, dance tickets, parking stickers, athletics fee, and the activities pass are just a few of the prices a senior student might pay for being a senior.

“It’s hard being an active student and doing everything correctly, but it’s so worth it when you get to graduate,” Proffitt said.

The price of incidentals and extras: $100

The cost of college preparation: $530

The cost of high school graduation: $100
The cost of being a senior at Rolla: PRICELESS!