With fancy gowns, a first-class dinner and a magical location on the Detroit river, Mercy’s prom is easily one of the most exciting events of senior year — but also the most expensive.

To curve the costly ticket prices, which are based at $70 per person, the senior class moderators — Mrs. Cindy Richter, Mrs. Christa Polan, and Mrs. Angela Schultheis — partnered with local California Pizza Kitchen restaurants to fundraise for the dance. On chosen dates, 20% of all sales generated by supporters were donated to Mercy’s senior class.

“Generally for the senior class, the most expensive event is prom,” Mrs. Richter said. “With costs rising and class size getting smaller, we’re really trying to get as many funds as we can offset some of that cost.”

The fall semester CPK fundraiser on Oct. 5 raised over $700. Although the funds raised from the spring semester date, Mar. 1, are still being determined, the senior moderators are optimistic they will increase from the previous date.

“I had been eating at CPK one day and I was wearing a Mercy shirt,” Mrs. Richter said. “This woman, who turned out to be the general manager, came up to me and handed me the Pizza with a Purpose package, their fundraising package. This is our second year using CPK for our fundraiser.”

California Pizza Kitchen restaurants in Farmington Hills, Novi and Livonia all participated in the two fundraising dates.

“CPK is really easy to work with,” Mrs. Richter said. “They allow us to do three locations, which is great because Mercy girls come from all over the area.”

The senior class officers have been advertising the fundraiser around the school, so all grades were encouraged to participate.

“We put up posters and made a lot of all-school announcements,” said Lena Dubois, a senior class officer. “So we hope the spring fundraiser raises as much money as the last. [We wanted] Mercy girls of all classes [to] come support, since it’s a great way to have an amazing dinner with their friends while also supporting the seniors!”

The restaurant chain has helped raise millions to support local schools, groups and non-profit organizations since 1999, via its Pizza with a Purpose fundraising package.

“It’s hard to tell how much the fundraising money will cut down the cost of the tickets,” Mrs. Richter said. “But we can say that any increase that we have in ticket price will be very minimal.”