Hollister
– San Benito High School’s Sober Grad Night enjoyed record
turnout this year, with the majority of the Class of 2006 favoring
an evening of booze-free fun on school grounds over drunken parties
elsewhere in town.
Hollister – San Benito High School’s Sober Grad Night enjoyed record turnout this year, with the majority of the Class of 2006 favoring an evening of booze-free fun on school grounds over drunken parties elsewhere in town.
Sober Grad Night is an SBHS tradition designed to keep kids off the road on a night when many teens may be drinking and driving. The idea is to get them away from house parties where alcohol may be served, encouraging them instead to celebrate in a safe environment with the people they’ve spent the last four years of their lives with.
“All in all it was a huge success,” event co-chair Marci Huston said. “It was a group effort but I think the results were amazing.”
Before entering the event at the school’s O’Donnel Gymnasium Friday night, students had to pass a breathalyzer test administered by a California Highway Patrol officer. At 11pm, the grads were locked in the gym until 4am, unless parents called and gave permission for their child to leave.
At least 350 of SBHS’ 526 grads – nearly 70 percent – returned to their recent alma mater for the annual safe and sober party, which usually attracts crowds of fewer than 200 students.
Huston attributes the events’ newfound success to the committee’s decision to include students in virtually all stages of planning the event, from their input in a survey at the beginning of the year to a last-minute donation of $1,000 from the senior class.
“Whether they knew it or not, they were a big part of the event’s success,” said Huston. “Getting the kids to go out there and promote the event among their classmates, instead of having an adult tell them they needed to be there, made a big difference.”
The event cost more than $19,000. Hundreds of local businesses and good Samaritans contributed to the cause. Nationwide, schools provide similar programs for their graduating seniors, but SBHS’ event is among the few that don’t have an admission charge.
“Students want to celebrate in a special way on the night of their graduation, and in a community without many resources, that special celebration may involve alcohol,” SBHS Superintendent Jean Burns Slater said. “It’s important that they have a free, viable option so that they can have a great time with their friends.”
Myriad amusements were available for students during the event, including bounce houses, Velcro walls, mock gambling, karaoke, video games and even an appearance from the San Francisco 49ers cheerleaders. Nearly 400 raffle prizes were given away, such as ping pong tables, cell phones and laptop computers.
“I thought it was going to suck, but I really enjoyed myself,” graduate Magali Ferare said. “Everyone was there and there was a lot of cool stuff to do, and the food was free. So I think we all were just happy to have one last night together.”
Best of all, though, is the fact that no local driving under the influence incidents occurred on graduation night, according to CHP Officer Chris Armstrong.
“We think the message is really getting out there that it just doesn’t pay to drink and drive, especially when you’re celebrating,” he said. “No family should have to deal with a tragedy over a weekend that should be filled with joy.”
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
