Parkland secondary after grad parties are so good, kids come back the next year.
Students from the 2010 class have already offered up their time to volunteer at the 2011 celebration. That response buoys Linda Hunter.
“To me that means success,” she said.
Hunter started organizing graduation night parties in 2005 (for the ‘06 class) when a parent, who knew the Sidney mom was a corporate event planner, approached with a plan.
“I was so inspired by their desire to keep those kids safe. And I wanted my daughter to participate in a dry graduation,” she said.
Hunter took on the challenge, and wound up spending five years organizing parties.
“I knew it wouldn’t take much after the first year to slip back,” she said. “I didn’t want to lose what we learned ... I didn’t want it to die.”
Hunter is a firm believer in the drug- and alcohol-free after graduation event.
“It’s illegal. We lose kids that night. It’s the most dangerous night of 13 years of school,” Hunter said. Graduation is often a season of drinking that can lead to car crashes, risky sexual behaviour and lost memories.
“You’ll remember this the rest of your life,” promises Hunter.
In June 2010, her twin boys graduated from Parkland secondary. After years of organizing teen-oriented events, Hunter was left with a binder full of a mishmash of forms and notes that only she could decipher. She wanted to share that knowledge with this year’s committee.
“My husband said ‘why aren’t you sharing your knowledge with all schools?’” Hunter said.
So she is.
Hunter penned An Unforgettable After-Grad, a guide to creating and operating a successful, all-night, safe, dry grad event. She shares her knowledge of keeping teens engaged and safe for an entire night. Hunter compiled her notes and created an easy-to-use month-by-month format. Forms and checklists cover everything from finance and fundraising to transportation, entertainment and safety. Safety is one of the key differences between organizing a teen-oriented event and an adult event.
Her goal is to provide a safe, memorable, inclusive, all-night after grad.
“I think it sends a message. They’re important, they’re valued,” Hunter said. “And alcohol doesn’t equal fun.”
“I’m not a crusader,” she added. “What I’m trying to do is mind-shift. It’s not necessary for alcohol to be part of your grad night.”
Hunter believes strongly enough to offer the book to the dry grad committees at Parkland, Stelly’s and Claremont secondary schools.
“I want to make it accessible. I want every school to save their teens and have a dry grad,” Hunter said.
The book, and free downloadable forms, are available online at www.safegradevent.com.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com