By Angela E. Pometto
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 5/19/05)

High school is over. The seniors have walked across the stage, received their diplomas and thrown their hats into the air. They’ve posed for hundreds of photos and gathered with family and friends. What could be a better end to the day than celebrating with their classmates? But this is not just any celebration. The all-night graduation party lasts from dusk until dawn and offers everything from karaoke to go-carts and a mechanical bull. At the end of the party, one senior will win a chance at a new car.

All-night graduation parties are sponsored by many Northern Virginia high schools, including the three diocesan schools. The motivation behind the parties is to keep the students safe as they celebrate an end to high school.

Cathy D’Antuono and Cathy Love, committee leaders for Bishop Ireton High School in Alexandria; Peter Whitfield, chair for Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington; and Jill Hoko Burnheimer, chair for Paul VI Catholic High School in Fairfax, recently discussed some of the details about the night with the HERALD.

The purpose of these parties is to provide a drug-free, alcohol-free environment for the graduates to celebrate. The grads are locked in for the night and kept secure, but it is far from a prison.

Activities at these parties include live bands or DJs; dancing; inflatable games; karaoke; Bingo; go-carts; basketball and volleyball; swimming with poolside games and contests; casinos with black jack, Texas hold-em and roulette; a mechanical bull; moon bounces; twister; a Velcro wall; race cars; a caricature artist; a temporary-tattoo artist; and a photographer.

And if that’s not enough, the seniors also receive prizes throughout the night worth at least $20 — items like mini- TVs, refrigerators and microwaves; bicycles; cameras; IPods; and gift certificates to local stores and restaurants.

"People are amazed when they see prizes there for every kid," Love said. "Until you see it, you have no idea."

Before breakfast the next morning, several "grand" prizes worth up to $100 are raffled off. Along with the one guaranteed prize, each senior leaves with a "goodie bag" filled with smaller gifts.

While the event is literally all fun and games for the students, there is a tremendous amount of parent support that makes these parties possible. Planning for the event begins the day after the last party ends. Parent volunteers separate in committees that meet throughout the year to plan, gather supplies, raise funds and solicit donations from businesses.

The night of the party, more that 100 volunteers show up for two-hour shifts. Adults oversee security, rides, food, casinos, coat room, cleanup, registration and games.

"It’s fairly structured," Whitfield said. "Only the graduates are allowed in."

The volunteers go to great lengths to make sure there are enough activities to keep the seniors entertained and safe all night. Every door has a parent posted for security.

"It takes a community to ensure we have a safe celebration for our grads," Love said.

Northern Virginia Project Graduation (NVPG) supports all the high is the organizing force behind the all-night graduation parties.

On June 26 NVPG sponsors the final grand prize raffle at Ted Britt Ford in Fairfax. Each of the 45 high schools that participate in NVPG sends one representative, chosen at random during the graduation party. Among these students, NVPG raffles off larger prizes such as cash scholarships, computers or electronics, and one student will win a new car.

Bishop Ireton’s party will be held at Lee District Park in Franconia on June 1. Since there is a new group of students every year, the graduation party committee is able to keep the theme and decorations the same from year to year.

"I’ve been involved in a lot of events, but this is one of the most rewarding," D’Antuono said. After graduation, these friends go their separate ways, said D’Antuono. Families go out of town for the summer and teens start preparing for college.

"It’s a celebration of life — that’s what it’s all about," said Love. "It’s such a great thing that they will remember for a long time."

Bishop O’Connell will hold its graduation party, "Stars and Knights Forever," on June 2 at Worldgate in Herndon. Whitfield encourages parents to remember what they did on graduation night and support this alternative for their children.

Paul VI will hold its "Farewell Cruise on the S.S. PVI" on June 5 at Oak Marr Recreational Facility in Oakton. The night at Paul VI is completely parent-funded. Instead of soliciting donations, Paul VI parents hold fund raisers throughout the year, Burnheimer said.

"It’s such a joy to see kids in that environment," Burnheimer said. "School is over, and they’re able to enjoy themselves. It’s a wonderful tradition, and I hope it continues for a long time after this."

The schools are still accepting donations from companies. Donors do not have to give enough items for every senior. The committee will spread the donations evenly among the students. Donations may be sent to the chair person of the party in care of the school’s address.