As another school year comes to a wrap, San Lorenzo Valley High School debuts what some volunteers call the best grad night yet. By the time many get this paper, the festivities will already be underway.
The event starts at 8 p.m. on Friday, and ends at approximately at 4 a.m. Saturday morning.
Kevin Newberry, the co-chair of this year’s Grad Night, said that more than 90-percent of graduating seniors are expected to attend. This year, there are approximately 175 students graduating from SLV High School.
Organized and constructed by local families, Grad Night has been a tradition at the high school since the 1980s. Anyone can volunteer, and many come back to help more than once.
“We have volunteers in the group this year who have shared stories with us about their own Grad Night,” said Volunteer Group Secretary and Organizer Jean Van Ausdall.
Newberry said that he attended Grad Night when he graduated from SLVHS in 1989. He got involved when his oldest son graduated in 2011.
“It amazes me what a group of parents pulls off every year. It really is amazing,” he said. “It’s a pretty small group that actually pulls it off.”
Grad Night allows high school seniors to be safe as they celebrate their rite of passage into adulthood.
To discourage drunk driving and excessive partying, participants are checked for sobriety at various times during the evening. Going out to the car because one “forgot” something is against the rules.
“Even the area of the campus where the event takes place is fenced off to prevent various shenanigans from occurring,” Van Ausdall said.
And though the theme is a surprise until the night of the event, people driving by might have noticed a circus tent that has been erected in front of the high school.
It was confirmed that entertainment includes stilt walkers, fire-eaters, and juggling clowns.
“The only thing we’re missing are the lions for the lion tamer,” Van Ausdall said.
Activities at the event range from casino, booth games, inflatable rides — like the giant hamster ball — to raffle prizes. There will also be a store to shop for items with the fake money graduates win by participating in the games.
Newberry also pointed out that airbrush tattoos have been a big hit in the past.
“Food and drinks are provided all night, mostly grab and go items because we keep the kids busy with activities,” Van Ausdall said. “We have a bar set up to serve slushies, water, and Italian sodas, plus there is a coffee and hot chocolate station.”
It takes up to $35,000 each year to make grad night a reality. Work starts in August of the previous school year and ends the day of the event.
“This year we have a dedicated crew of 15 to 20 people on the planning committee, plus numerous other volunteers who sign up to help at various fundraising events all year. Plus, families of SLVHS students who donate money, time, items and community members who do the same,” Van Ausdall explained.
Some of the fundraising that led up to the event included sales of Sees candy, and percentage nights at various local restaurants. There are also big fundraisers the Annual Wine and Chocolate Tasting that happen earlier in the year.
“Probably one of the most bizarre fundraisers is Cow Patty Bingo,” said Newberry.
For many years, the Kersten’s family cow in Boulder Creek has been a focal point of the Cow Patty Bingo.
“We sell raffle tickets and the Kerstens plot out spaces in their field. When the cow lays a fresh cow patty, the space where said patty lands is the winner. Its usually a $500 prize,” he said.
Grad Night tickets are $75. Students are encouraged to pay for their tickets in advance, but they can pay at the door as long as they have a signed parent permission slip, Van Ausdall said.
