The class of 2025 was recently called into the RHS auditorium to discuss “solidifying their high school experience” in the form of overpriced class rings and varsity jackets. I sat there with my friends trying my best to not laugh, as a salesman tried to explain how a $1,000 hunk of metal is a good investment and not a total waste of money.

I do not see my parents or any of my peers’ parents agreeing to pay for them. Especially when their own class rings likely sit in a box at their parents’ house. The absolute worst part of this debacle is that so many people still totally want one.

In the catalog they give you, there is a page advertising a special deal on a package for a certain ring. This ‘special’ is $389.95.  Keep in mind that the stone in the middle is ‘simulated’ and is not considered to be legitimate. Not only this but this ring is made out of a metal called Ultrium, which is typically the most affordable metal for class rings.

While neither of these options looks or performs poorly, they are just not as valuable as the price tag suggests. They get away with an upcharge on these items because of the sentimental value that comes with them, though I still feel like a scrapbook would do the same job for maybe $300 less.

The jeweler has hundreds of different designs you can get put into your ring. Anything you have ever done, ever, can be represented with one of the metal cut-outs. The whole idea is to tell a story of who you were in high school, but is it really that serious? What you do in high school does not define you for the rest of your life.

However, so many people balance being in several extracurriculars, sports and keeping good GPAs for better opportunities at scholarships or college admissions. Even with all of that effort and extra time spent at school, we all end up in the same place on graduation day and in the same universities. Buying these rings is a small price to pay for some piece of mind, to know that you did get something out of high school.