SHERBURNE – Registration is now open for the After Prom Party at Sherburne-Earlville. The “Casino Night” themed prom will be on Saturday, May 17 with promenade at 6 p.m. at S-E, followed by the prom at Magro's Banquet Hall at 7 p.m.
The After Prom Party will be held from 11:30 p.m. until 4:30 a.m. in the S-E Elementary School and students are requested to stay for the whole event. Both parents and their children are required to sign forms agreeing to the terms, which are due on May 14 to the high school office. If a student decides to leave the party early his or her parent will be notified.
“The event has really been successful because of the community's support and donations,” said Jennifer Britton, one of the parents on the After Prom Party committee. “We work really hard throughout the year to ensure that the students have a good time and that they are safe.”
Huge waves of donations, from monetary donations to goodies, electronics and gift certificates have come in from numerous businesses in Sherburne, Earlville, Norwich and Hamilton. All of the donors, committee members and business members will be recognized at the promenade.
The donations have ensured that students will have a great night as there will be a live DJ, laser tag, bungee cord racing, cash cube, photo booth and an airbrush tattoo artist.
“Every student gets a door prize during the night,” said Britton. “The big prizes will be given away between 4 and 4:30.”
She explained that students had been surveyed to determine the best large prizes to giveaway, which include two television sets, iPad mini, laptop, cash, a mini fridge full of food, Beats headphones and gift certificates from Dick's and Mayhood's.
“My hope is that we get everybody that is going to the prom to go to the event so that they are not driving or going to parties where they can be unsafe,” said Stacey Snogles, junior class co-advisor. “It's just one of those things – you'll never do anything like that again.”
There is a very important reason so many parents, students and the community are focused on making the party a success. Rather than attending after parties that may involve drugs and alcohol, the committee is providing a fun, all night party that is drug and alcohol free.
Preferred Mutual Insurance Company is one of the sponsors for S-E's After Prom Party, as well as other after prom parties at Norwich, Unadilla Valley, Gilbertsville Mt. Upton and Edmeston Central schools.
“As an insurance company, we have a corporate responsibility to our policy holders and community to encourage safe and responsible driving, especially amongst teens who tend to have higher traffic related crashes,” said Cristina Hatem, Corporate Communications Manager. “We want safe alternatives for teenagers so we started to support our local schools with after prom parties.”
Hatem explained that, according to national statistics, automotive accidents are the highest cause of death amongst teenagers. While many students may have some awareness to the dangers of drinking and driving there is still a disparity between knowledge and action.
According to the Insurance Journal, “While teens know certain behaviors and situations are risky, many don’t apply that knowledge when it comes to getting behind the wheel. For example, a good number say that it is acceptable for a designated driver to have alcohol or that a designated driver is simply the most sober person in a group.”
The Journal also states, “According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a quarter of fatal crashes involving young drivers resulting from drinking and driving.”
“We want this night to end in a successful, positive ending,” said Britton. “We want the night to be memorable, but for good reasons.”