Here's a way that you can use our experience to help you plan a grad nite of your own. 

If you are browsing this website, chances are that you would like to bring the concept of an all-night drug- and alcohol-free celebration to your high school graduation or prom night. Right now you feel overwhelmed, that you don't know where to begin, that you can't possibly be successful. You are wrong! We at Grad Nite Live encourage every high school to make this type of celebration a tradition. And it's easier than you think!

How to get started
The first step is to join forces with a few other like-minded parents who are willing to devote time to the project. If other schools in your area have been successful, do not hesitate to bring them in for a brainstorming session. When we invited the chairpersons of three surrounding towns' celebrations to speak with our fledgling group, it was the first time any of them had met each other to share ideas, and they found the meeting just as helpful as we did. They convinced us that with a few months' lead time, we, too, could meet our goal.

Establishing committees
While our organization has grown to include all members of our community, in the first year the steering committee was made up primarily of parents of seniors - those who had the greatest stake in making the celebration a success. In many towns, this committee consists of members of the school PTO, while other groups prefer to keep the organization a separate entity. Once you have a core group, it is vital that you get the support of the high school administration, especially if you plan to hold the celebration in the school.

Grad Nite Live decided that our vital committees would consist of Decorations, Food, Activities, Fund-Raising, Publicity, Volunteers and Dismantling, along with two overall co-chairs and a treasurer. Within these categories, you can be as simple or as elaborate as you have time and funding for. We began in late January, 1997 and were thrilled to have over 50% of the graduates with us all night in June. We have grown each year and hosted 85% of the graduates of 2001! Grad Nite Live has truly become the anticipated event of graduation.

Funding
Because we see the celebration as a gift from the community to the graduates, we have never charged the students to come. We ask for donations from the senior parents, and send out fund-raising letters to the area businesses. In addition to monetary contributions, businesses are very generous with donations of food and prizes and especially with their time and expertise in the field of electric and carpentry work. In addition, for the past three years, the town has voted to partially subsidize our efforts.

Activities and decorations
While our activities have varied through the years, we have found the following to be most successful: a DJ, casino games, psychic readers, caricaturists, movies, sports games, large inflatable games, hair and nail makeovers, temporary tattoos and non-stop food and drink! If some of these are not available in your area, substitute with other ideas.

We have an overall theme for decorations, which we have successfully kept secret each year until graduation day. Each year our decorators come up with wonderfully creative ways to transform the areas of the school which we use. We have a community open house in the evening which attracts hundreds of interested spectators. This is an excellent way to instill enthusiasm for future graduates and volunteers. Our high school graduation takes place on Saturday afternoon and Grad Nite Live begins at 11 p.m. so families have an opportunity to celebrate before the class comes together again, one last time.

Setting policies
It is extremely important to communicate to both the seniors and their parents the policies which you adhere to for the night so that everyone is aware of his or her responsibilities. We haven't had any problems in our six-year history.

Grad Nite Live has been fortunate to keep many of the people who have been involved from the beginning, while continuing to include more people each year - not only senior parents, but parents of young children, senior citizens, concerned community members, and, most rewardingly, recent graduates who tell us it was the best time of their high school years!

Have fun!
Grad Nite Live encourages all communities to provide a safe alternative to dangerous parties that can result in tragedy. If we can do it here in Marshfield, Massachusetts, you can too! If we can help in any way, please contact us via our links. Good luck and have fun! You will find that you have just as much fun as the graduates!