Hollister
– Having completed most of the planning for the event, parents
and community members are now pursuing additional donations for San
Benito High School’s Safe and Sober Grad event.
Hollister – Having completed most of the planning for the event, parents and community members are now pursuing additional donations for San Benito High School’s Safe and Sober Grad event.
The party, which will occur following the school’s graduation ceremony on June 7, is meant to offer an appealing alternative to the traditional alcohol-infused post-graduation bashes.
While the cost of putting on the party has been covered, event coordinators are hoping to double what they’ve raised to provide prizes and additional incentives for students to attend.
“We’re still fast and furiously trying to raise about another $12,000,” Safe and Sober Grad chair Marci Huston said.
Last year, the committee spent $19,000, but organizers are hoping to raise $24,000 this year because they want more students to attend the event. Organizers are estimating between 450 and 500 students will attend the post-graduation event, which lasts from 8pm to 4am. Last year, 375 graduates attended.
“Last year we really had to promote the idea to the students because they were indifferent,” Huston said. “It’s not such a hard sell this year because last year was so successful.”
Senior Magan Biggs, 17, said she and her friends all plan on attending.
“I figured it’s something to do and it’s something to look forward to. There’s a variety of activities for everybody,” she said. Briggs said she had heard from seniors last year that the event was fun and many students won prizes.
Biggs also said she thought it provided a good alternative to drinking for students.
“For one night they could choose to not drink, because in one night something can change in their life,” Biggs said.
There will be various activities and entertainment going on throughout the night. A disc jockey will provide music and dancing, and there will be food and a battle of the bands contest.
Huston said organizers are still trying to arrange for several 49ers cheerleaders to attend the party – a popular attraction at last year’s event.
Huston said they hope to have as many exciting events as possible to make the party appealing to all students.
Doris Cabaluna, who is the coordinator of the Monterey and San Benito County Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said she thinks sober grad night events help prevent a lot of drunken driving from graduation parties.
The committee has already raised the $7,000 necessary to cover the most basic party costs. The prizes – which can range from iPods to gift certificates – are one of the most popular parts of the party for students.
To raise money, committee members sought sponsorship from local businesses and donations from parents and community members.
However, Huston said she has thus far been disappointed with the lack of parent support – both financial and through volunteering.
“We asked for a $25 donation and only 49 parents have responded out of 500-plus,” Huston said. “The event is free and we want to keep it free, but we still want to engage the parents.”
Alice Joy covers education for the Free Lance. She can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 336 or at [email protected].
