Graduation day is special, night needs to be safe

VIRGINIA BEACH

High school graduation night is one of the happiest events in a teenager's life. It can also be one of the deadliest.

Keeping it a fun and safe evening is what the All Night Graduation Celebration is all about.

Every year, each high school in Virginia Beach takes part in the citywide Celebrate Life All Night Graduation Celebration.

"It's a dangerous night that becomes safer," said Diane Gillespie,

committee chair from Ocean Lakes High School.

All 11 of the parent teacher student associations at the high schools plan their own event, but meet monthly to brainstorm ideas, discuss trends and fundraising techniques.

"We're all in this together," Gillespie said. "We have the same goal in mind."

Gillespie's son, Kavan, graduated in 2007 and daughter, Katie, is a junior this year.

Event planning begins in September, the really serious work starts in December.

A letter writing campaign for donations and requests for community support keep the completely volunteer-run event more manageable.

Barbara Hudson, chair for First Colonial High School, said each school raises about $25,000 for their individual events.

Hudson's 18-year-old son, Robert, is a senior and her 14-year-old daughter, Shannon, is a freshman. Hudson has been on the committee for the past four years.

"I think this is one the greatest gifts you can give the graduating class," Hudson said. "It's one last memory to keep them safe and a chance for the kids to be kids one last time."

Safety and fun are the two key words throughout the night, which runs from 11 p.m. to 5 or 6 a.m. - depending on the school. Some groups hold the event at their schools while others chose restaurants, the Spirit of Norfolk or recreation centers.

Hudson said First Colonial's event, which is at the Bayside Recreation Center, will include a game show, karaoke, caricature, hypnotist, magician, balloon artist, a money machine, inflatables, pool and roulette tables, billiards, bingo and more.

"We even have a quiet hall with chess, checkers and more," Hudson said. "We cater to all types of graduates.

Give-a-ways are a big part of the night's activities.

"We give away about $10,000 in prizes," Hudson said.

Volunteer Teresa Land said for each year of the program, the Charles Barker Automotive Network has donated $1,000 to each school for the parties.

Gillespie, Hudson and other volunteers have a goal to get more kids to come to their school's event than the year before. Both schools average about half of the graduating class in attendance.

"You want them to choose to be there rather than anywhere else. We wish we could get every kid there - we'd be over the moon," Gillespie said.

Sandra J. Pennecke, Pennecke@cox.net