Desert Vista wins $25K prize in prom contest

Most high schools are just happy to get a disc jockey for their prom.

Desert Vista High School in Ahwatukee Foothills will have a DJ, a contortionist, a fire dancer and a live band at their prom Saturday at Corona Ranch in Laveen.

Desert Vista was the first high school to win the "Ultimate Prom" contest put on by Grand Canyon University and AZ Teen Magazine. The prize included $25,000 for the event.

The money was much-needed, said Kristin Roa, Desert Vista's junior class president.

While most high schools raise around $20,000 for prom, Roa said Desert Vista only had about $5,000 before the contest.

"We had made a lot of mistakes," Roa said. "We didn't have much money for prom at all."

The contest started in September and lasted for 60 days. Students could go online to AZ Teen Magazine's Web site and vote for their school or text their vote.

Deb Rochford, publisher of AZ Teen Magazine, said the contest was started as a fun way for students to promote their own schools and to help students with their fundraising.

"It's a challenge for schools to fundraise every year for prom," Rochford said. "They all want to have the best prom ever."

Along with the $25,000, Desert Vista also received discounts on flowers and dresses.

One discount that Desert Vista students didn't receive, however, was on their prom tickets. Roa said all of the money raised from ticket sales will be donated to a fellow classmate who is ill.

Rochford said she is excited for Desert Vista.

"Every school has a prom," Rochford said. "But this prom will be able to do things that other schools won't necessarily be able to do because they have their resources."