Senior after-graduation celebration causes controversy over price
Every year, senior parent volunteers plan an all night party with the goal of providing the new grads a safe alcohol, drug, and smoke-free place to celebrate after graduation. This year’s party costs $75 without aid.
May 4, 2018
Senior All Night Party in best interest
For many high school seniors, graduation is one of the most exciting days of their lives thus far.
It is the culmination of four years of slogging through tedious schoolwork and exhaustive social norms.
As you might expect, this translates to graduation being the perfect excuse to let loose and go crazy to celebrate the end of a seemingly never-ending high school career.
For eighteen-year-olds in this country, however, partying often is not simply limited to listening to loud music and playing group games. According to Project Know, nearly three of every five high school seniors in the United States admitted to drinking alcohol at some point during their final year of high school. The Senior All Night Party is a perfect solution to the issue of binge-drinking after graduation. Seniors get to attend an inclusive party with all of their classmates to cap off their high school experience, and parents do not have to worry about their children over consuming alcohol. — William Phelan
In Minnesota, 48 percent of seniors claimed they had consumed alcohol in the last 30 days alone.
With such high proportions, paired with the dangerous effects of alcohol on underage consumers, it is clear that an occasion such as graduation presents a risk to parents and administrators of Park students.
For this reason, the Senior All Night Party is a great way for students to celebrate their achievement.
One issue many have cited about the party is the high ticket price. However, as a result of the plethora of fundraising efforts by engaged parents and students, there is sufficient financial relief for any student who would otherwise be prevented from attending because of a lack of financial resources.
With this in mind, the Senior All Night Party is a perfect solution to the issue of binge-drinking after graduation. Seniors get to attend an inclusive party with all of their classmates to cap off their high school experience, and parents do not have to worry about their children over consuming alcohol.
Students have the opportunity for an extremely fun night that proves to be affordable, without the pressure of consuming illicit and potentially lethal substances.
Senior All Night Party flawed
The premise of an all-inclusive safe party put on by the local Park community just for our graduating senior class is a good one, and the party has the potential to be a lot of fun. Unfortunately, there are a few problems.
The $75 cost of attendance is just too high, turning a large number of students off from the idea of attending. The cost is more than many people are willing or able to pay. Fundraising efforts are great; they offer scholarships and sufficient financial relief for students who could otherwise not afford to go. However, for the majority of families at Park, $75 is just enough to make kids and their families question if the cost of the party is really worth it. The descriptor “all-inclusive” implies a much lower, accessible cost. This year’s prom tickets, for example, cost only $25 or $30. The idea the senior party works in lieu of some other house party with alcohol and ‘dangerous’ behavior is unlikely. Any kids wanting that experience are just going to go out and create it for themselves, regardless of whether this party exists or not. — Eli Curran-Moore
Additionally, party planners should not come in with the expectation in order to entice kids to attend, they need to crowdfund $10,000 plus to spend on $15,000 worth of ridiculous one-off prizes. Planners don’t need to advertise some shallow ‘chance to win’ casino-esque experience. I can’t speak for everyone, but what I’d imagine most seniors want is a fun, accessible carefree night to spend time with longtime friends, soon be a luxury with post-graduation adulthood looming. Sure, winning a pair of Beats Headphones is cool, but to market that as the main event in a night which should be about friends and fun is unnecessary. If party planners really take pride in supporting Park students and their community, they should cater the party (and use party funds) to fit this idea, not for winning some prize. Kids just want to have a crazy good time with their friends more than anything.
Even with the venue, ‘transportation, catered food, lots of entertainment, games, prizes, raffles and much more’ the idea $10,000 is needed to throw this party is asinine. A great time could be had for less than half that amount. Sure more money can translate into more fun, but that always begs the question ‘what better places could this money be going?’ Money could contribute to scholarships or school funds. If the community can raise $10,000 for a senior high school party, we should be able to raise and use the money for much more important things, $15,000 worth of prizes is an insanely extravagant amount to give away.
The idea the senior party works in lieu of some other house party with alcohol and ‘dangerous’ behavior is also unlikely. Any kids wanting that experience are just going to go out and create it for themselves, regardless of whether this party exists or not. Thus, the party should only work to be the best it can be and as fun as possible, seeking more input from seniors and what they actually want and standing alone as a Park tradition. That’s the best way of getting kids to attend, have fun and stay safe after graduation.