The Gazette
Sober Grad Night?Friday, October 16, 2009 By Justin Shiiba
Around this time last year, Granite Bay High School parents Katie Segale and Anne Harris were already beginning the planning process for one of the most anticipated senior events of the year, Sober Grad Night. Sober Grad Night is an event run by junior parents and is scheduled to be held graduation night, May 29, at Golfland Sunsplash in Roseville. Sober Grad Night is held once a year for seniors only, and is a fun, alcohol-free night where seniors relax and hang out with friends. Seniors can ride the waterslides or enter into the raffle with prizes ranging from a Macbook to $1,000 in cash. There is even a parent-run casino and a hypnotist. “It was very fun,” GBHS alumnus David Cape said. “I spent the whole time hanging out with friends and winning money.” However, this year no junior parent has stepped up to the job of lead coordinator and Sober Grad Night is at risk of cancellation. “For some reason, I think they might be gun shy to (head the event),” Harris said, “We’re not dropping the ball on anything…but at some point we will have to say the event is canceled.” Two co-chairs are needed to run the event next spring. They will oversee the entire event and make sure it is running smoothly. The co-chairs will then pick volunteers for subcommittees who will work on food, entertainment and prizes. “It’s a fun time to work with your friends,” Segale said. “I would call it more of a fun job than a hard job.” The job is simple and requires monthly meetings starting in January. The chair’s main jobs are publicizing the event, managing the budget and supervising the subcommittee members. The volunteers do not need any training or experience in order to run the event. Almost all of the old committee members are able and willing to help out. “All of the old committee members are here to guide the new members,” Segale said. “There’s a lot of mentoring that goes through the process.” While heading an event as big as Sober Grad Night seems like a big effort, most of the work has already been taken care of. “A lot of the things have already been handled,” Harris said. “The place has been reserved, the vendors … have been notified, contracts have been signed, all deposits are in place… No soliciting or fundraising is required.” The event does not have to be completely different from past Sober Grad Nights. “They are not recreating the wheel,” Segale said. “They can use the same theme, the same decorations. It is all already in place.” All that is needed are two, preferably junior parents to step up and take the job. Although junior parents have always run the event, Harris and Segale are willing to accept anyone who is interested. “It’s traditionally put on by the junior class because it’s hard (for senior parents) to have a graduating senior and to (host a) party on the same night,” Segale said. “That’s why juniors have always been the ones putting it on, but we’d love to have a sophomore too. Anyone who feels up to the job.” Many seniors said they would feel disappointed if their Sober Grad Night was canceled. “I am kind of sad,” GBHS senior Matt O’Brien said. “I’ve heard in the past it was basically one of the coolest events… I think (graduation) is not going to be as much fun if they cancel it.” Approximately 400 seniors attended Sober Grad Night last year, which says a lot about the event. “It’s a feel-good event that kids love,” Harris said. “(Students) are very appreciative of the event … we just hope it comes to pass for the seniors.” |