All-nighters keep grad weekend safe

The Mead community has already shelled out about $30,000 to keep its graduates safe after the long-awaited high school graduation ceremony for Mead High School on Friday night.

The money will pay for what is known as the senior all-nighter or grad night.

“It’s a very expensive night,” said Cindy Adams, a parent who helped organized Mead’s event.

“We do what needs to be done,” Adams said. “Our hope is that it cuts down on accidents related to drinking and just prevents kids from getting into trouble.”

Almost every school in the Spokane area hosts a senior all-nighter to keep students off the streets the night after graduation.

Some events, like Mead’s, are held at the high school, while others are played out in local entertainment venues and warehouses.

Students arrive at night, usually between 9 and 10 p.m., and are required to stay until 4 or 5 a.m.

They play games, ride go-karts, swim, play poker, eat pizza, jump on giant trampolines, and generally act like children for one more night before launching out into the real world.

The students also have the chance to win prizes, such as small refrigerators for their dorms or apartments.

“It’s a tradition, and it keeps the kids safe,” said Lori Musgrave, who helped organized Cheney High School’s event, held Saturday night at the Fairchild Air Force Base.

Their event was held before today’s graduation this year because of a scheduling conflict.

“It’s not the usual way … but we thought about it, and we are still taking away one of the weekend nights before graduation and hopefully that will get the kids there and keep them safe,” Musgrave said.

Planning for the senior-exclusive events begins about this time for the next graduating class of seniors.

Parents do most of the work, organizing donations, locating a venue and helping students raise money.

Each student must buy a ticket to attend, and that helps offset the cost. Students who can’t afford to buy a ticket at most schools receive scholarships.

“We start calling around off a list of who hasn’t bought the tickets yet or who hasn’t signed up,” said West Valley High School parent Faith Van Bell. “We tell them that if it’s because of money that should never be an issue.”

West Valley High School seniors and parents operated a coffee stand in the school all year and raised more than enough money for the event, which will be held at Triple Play in Hayden, Idaho. Triple Play has a climbing wall, laser tag and a bowling alley.

Students who bought tickets have to drop their cars off at the high school, and then board district school buses to the site.

“The main idea is for them to just to have a fun, enjoyable, great time,” Van Bell said.

“One last hurray with their senior class, drug and alcohol free.”