Organizers of San Benito High School’s second annual Sober Grad
Night hope to draw a large turnout of graduating seniors who,
instead of risking their lives drinking and driving, choose to
spend a sober night having fun and saying goodbye to the people
they have spent their high school careers with.
Hollister – Organizers of San Benito High School’s second annual Sober Grad Night hope to draw a large turnout of graduating seniors who, instead of risking their lives drinking and driving, choose to spend a sober night having fun and saying goodbye to the people they have spent their high school careers with.
The event, held June 10 from 8pm to 4am, is packed with activities ranging from casino games to a raffle. Admission is free – students only need to pass a breathalyzer test, which will be administered by California Highway Patrol Officers.
“This is the last night all these kids will really be together,” said Danita Brigantino, chairperson for the Sober Grad Committee. “They should enjoy the evening and reminisce without getting plastered and making themselves sick.”
Last year’s sober grad night had a low turnout of about 150 students, Brigantino said, adding that the grad night last year had trouble competing with graduation parties some parents threw where they allowed students to drink.
“They (graduates) were all turned off because they couldn’t come (to grad night) drunk,” she said. “We need to get parents in on this.”
Organizers hope that at least 300 of SBHS’s more than 500 graduates will attend this year.
For Brigantino, sober grad night is an open challenge to the idea that people can’t have fun unless they’re drinking – an idea that she often sees reinforced by popular culture and parents.
“What is the message from parents?” she said. “What is everything based around? When you have barbecues and parties it is that you can’t have a good time without alcohol.”
Students who fail the breathalyzer will be turned away at the door and may even face far more serious consequences for celebrating their graduation with a drink, Brigantino said.
“I think they’d possibly get arrested because it’s against the law,” she said.
Activities are planned to keep grad night attendees busy throughout the night and early morning. In addition to casino games, there will be bungee bull riding, sumo wrestling, a rock-climbing wall, dancing, Karaoke and a hypnotist. Graduates can feast on hamburgers, pizza, nachos and more, and coffee will be served.
During the free raffle, students have the chance to win surfing lessons, a glider ride, dinner for two at one of many San Benito County Restaurants, movie tickets and more. All raffle items were donated by local businesses, Brigantino said.
“It’s a really fun way to celebrate graduation,” said Principal Deborah Padilla. “I think we have a lot of students who don’t want to be around people who are drinking and doing other inappropriate things.”
Luke Roney covers politics and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lr****@fr***********.com
