Yes, you read that right. Directly from the “ridiculous parenting” files comes a story out of Texas, where a woman has bought a billboard, newspaper advertisements and more to help support her daughter’s run for Prom Queen. Tammy Day, mom of Brandy, doesn’t feel that her campaigning is extravagant, given the importance of the evening.

“Families feel that, you know, uh, it’s a little too much or over the top, you know, uh, for a one night, you know, prom? Uh, but then again, it only happens one time in your child’s life,” Day tells WMUR-TV.

The cost of her efforts so far? About $1,500. And given that this year’s figures peg the average prom costs at $1,078 (most of that being for the dress or the tux), you’ve got one very pricey night.

If you don’t believe it (we can’t), WMUR-TV has a video report. Brandy will find out this Saturday if her mom’s efforts will pay off.

We consider this whole story one more reason to be glad that prom-mania hasn’t quite crossed the border.