Safe & Sober Grad Night a community effort
From our weekly issue dated May 13, 2009
Since 1990 the Illinois Valley High School Safe & Sober Grad Night Committee’s mission has been to entertain senior students and celebrate their success while providing a safe, sober, and fun grad night celebration.
So states Bobbie Loyd, committee chairman. She further notes that there will be 100 graduates; that 504 hours are used to prepare for the party; and that 25 volunteers are needed.
“Why do we do this? Because graduation night is typically one of the most dangerous nights of a teen-ager’s life,” she said. “Statistics show a sharp increase in alcohol-related accidents, fatalities, and sexual and physical assaults, as well as alcohol overdoses.
“By and large, these are ‘good kids’ who make a bad choice to use alcohol or drugs. This choice can negatively affect their lives and the lives of others as long as they live. They may just be in the wrong place at the wrong time and pay a very high price. It is not just the graduates who endanger themselves when they drink and drive, but their actions affect anyone else on the roadway.
“We want our graduates to make it to their futures by celebrating graduation with their classmates in a fun, appropriate environment,” Loyd continued. “That is why the committee works year-round to raise funds and public awareness to be able to provide Sober Grad Night in Illinois Valley.”
It is an all-night, drug-and-alcohol-free celebration for Illinois Valley’s graduating seniors. They will spend the night of Thursday, June 4 enjoying music, dancing, games, activities, karaoke, refreshments, hangin’ with friends and a huge raffle.
Said Loyd, “It promises to be an unforgettable night for our seniors, the perfect send-off after 13 years of hard work.
“This event is not sponsored by the high school,” she said. “It is produced and sponsored by IVHS parents and the generous community of Illinois Valley. Sober Grad Night typically provides a special time – maybe the last time – to be with high school friends.
“We are a team of parents and friends with kids graduating from IVHS. This group of parent volunteers began meeting as much as a year before the event. Their activities include fund-raising, ticket sales, entertainment, food, decorating, and prizes.
“Committees have been working on the various areas and meeting weekly to coordinate the planning. Anyone can attend the weekly meetings and lend ideas. Committees are entertainment, prizes, food, donations, decorations, set-up/clean-up, ticket sales, keepsakes, security, and registration/check-in.
“Without the community’s efforts,” said Loyd, “we could not pull off this event. It is a party that we, as parents, give as a parting gift to our graduating children.”
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Anyone considered an IVHS 2009 senior can attend. This includes those who may not be quite ready to graduate, but will finish during the summer, or those who just need a couple of extra classes.
“Traditionally,” Loyd continued, “90 to 95 percent of the graduates attend this incredible, fun party. It will be held this year at IVHS beginning at 10 p.m. after graduation and continue until 5 a.m. the next day.
How To Get Involved
“We would love to see every parent of every graduating senior take part in creating this unforgettable Grad Night for our students. A party of this magnitude doesn’t just happen; it’s pulled together by legions of volunteer parents, each of whom can contribute in some small way to make Grad Night a night to remember.
“No skill is required; just a willingness to paint, sew, cut, and paste great decorations while renewing old friendships and having fun.”
For information or to volunteer phone Loyd at (541) 659-2028, or leave a message at IVHS, 592-2116.
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