It wasn't easy, but Liz Nemsick finally found the perfect dress.

"I went to nine stores," she says. "That took a while."

For seniors at Franklin Regional High School, Friday marks one of the last milestones of their high school experience -- their senior prom at the Syria Mosque.

And, as usual, they want to look as good as possible. But while the girls may make a mad dash through bridal and dress shops, the boys don't have many options when it comes to tuxedos.

Student Kayla Shultz says girls tend to be more excited about prom because they're expected to put effort into their preparations.

"I just think girls are more vocal about it," she says. "Girls put more work into it."

For their dates, there's no anxious search for the perfect dress. Anthony Livecchi says the prom, like all school dances, isn't for the guys.

"I think all formal dances are geared for girls," Livecchi says.

Shipra Kumar understands that sentiment. After attending the prom last year, she's not as excited the second time around. She also didn't need to worry about finding a dress because she is wearing a traditional Indian Sari.

"I think last year, it was a bit more of a build-up," Kumar says. "I only just realized it was (this) week."

Because her date is visiting from out-of-town and will be meeting some of her friends for the first time, he has been counting the days until this Friday.

"He's really pumped up about it," she says. "He's probably more excited than I am."

Nemsick is feeling the same Kumar did heading into her first prom last year.

"I've never been to prom," she says. "I'm just looking forward to a big bang at the end of the year."

Megan Gardea hasn't had to work nearly as hard as some of her classmates to find the right dress, but she does say the boys have it easy.

"They don't have to worry about being pretty," she says.

While the boys might not have to worry about being pretty, they do have other responsibilities to prepare for their big night, says Meghal Sample. That includes getting tickets, a corsage and making arrangements for transportation.

"It's pretty much all on the guy," he says.

Livecchi agrees, but says he understands why the guy normally pays for the tickets.

"I understand dresses are expensive," he says. "That's why I pay for the tickets."

Even with differing opinions on how to get ready for prom, both guys and girls agree it's a crucial moment in their adolescence.

"It's the thing to do," Sample says. "It's the last chance for everyone to be together."

The long tradition of making prom night something special helps increase the excitement, Gardea says.

"I think it's a really big part of high school," she says. "As a little kid all you hear about is the high school prom."