Hazen High School’s grad night is set for June 13, the night of graduation. Reservations are made for the two secret locations on the drug-and-alcohol-free night. But prize and money donations are needed to make the once-in-a-lifetime event a success.
About 120 seniors, or half the graduating class, are expected to attend. Organizers would like raffle and door prizes for each student.
“Prizes add to the fun atmosphere,” says Heidi Welker, head of this year’s grad night committee.
Welker says that atmosphere is “a healthy and safe alternative to what normally happens on grad night.”
Welker says what normally happens is drinking and driving.
“I think there’s a lot of people out there and a lot of bad choices to be made,” she says. “It’s nice of parents to give them a safe alternative.”
That safe alternative is an overnight party that includes a stop at two area destinations for fun and games. Last year’s grad night attendees visited Seattle’s Columbia Tower for dinner, casino games, karaoke and a hypnotist, and then Capital Hill’s Garage Billiards and Bowl.
“The thing that the kids liked the most was they got to drink out of the bar, pouring pop out of the bar,” Welker says.
Welker went along last year for help planning this year’s bash. She has her first high school senior this year: her daughter Amanda.
Amanda and her fellow seniors were asked to choose possible grad night locations last school year. The parent committee then selected the top choices from each category.
“They have a voice,” Welker says. “You’re asking the kids to trust in old people to plan their fun event. But they really have chosen it themselves, they just don’t know it yet.”
Attendees had to pay $150 to $205 for the night, depending if they fundraised. Tickets are still available.
Welker and other parents are already beginning to fundraise for grad night for Hazen’s freshman class, of which her son Andrew is a part.
“If we cut down the $200 price tag we can have more kids go,” she says.
Hazen Grad Night
• Prizes and money donations are requested for Hazen High School’s 2008 Grad Night, on June 13. Donations should be made by the end of May. Donations can be sent to Hazen High School, 1101 Hoquiam Ave. N.E., Renton, WA 98059. For more information, or to have someone pick up the items, call Mike or Jackie Martinson at 206-406-8699, or Heidi Welker at 425-981-6149.
• Prize ideas include gift cards/certificates, CDs/DVDs, car-care products, iPods, cameras, dorm-room fridges, TVs, flowers, food for senior barbecues, movie passes, cordless phones, computers, TVs, stereos and vacations.
