High school graduation in Powell River is a community event. In fact, graduation is celebrated by at least three events: the Cap and Gown Assembly, honouring all students who officially graduate in 2012; the Presentation of the Class of 2012; which includes the Grand March, and finally the Dry Grad Party.
“Cap and Gown represents educational closure for students,” said Kathy Rothwell, Brooks Secondary School principal. It includes scholarship presentations from the community. Principal’s honour roll students will be celebrated as well as top academic students. Presentation of the class is the following evening. “It is a night of finery that brings out the community.” Teachers will not be participating in these events in the usual manner this year, but many community members are coming forward to help.
After the well-dressed class of 2012 marches through the arena, students will change from classy to comfortable clothes and spend the night at Powell River Recreation Complex connecting with their peers and friends in a party to remember.
This year’s Dry Grad theme, Las Vegas, was chosen by student survey. Parent Valerie Young said, “We are making it more about the hotels from around the world in Vegas, not just the gambling.” Decorations have been gleaned from a trove of supplies in the Dry Grad storage lockers. “We are re-using a lot of materials from previous years and Rona donated the paint. So far, the cost of decorating is less than $200,” said Young. Conservative spending has been matched by generous donations from local businesses which are supplying food, coffee and staff time to serve during Dry Grad.
“We wanted to show that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to have a good time,” said Young. “The entertainment is where most of the money has been spent. The kids wanted the entertainment.” The Dry Grad team has hired a magician, a hypnotist and a DJ for music, as well as inflatable games. Rotary Club of Powell River volunteers will staff the casino, where every student can play with “casino dollars” they receive at the beginning of the party.
Students and parents have been fundraising for Dry Grad all school year. Young admits that while she wanted her daughter to have happy memories of graduation night she had trouble with the idea of spending so much money on a party. She went to the initial planning meeting and found others with similar reservations. They decided to use service-based fundraisers where graduating students would have an opportunity to assist, and thereby reduce their Dry Grad fees. Projects included cutting and delivering firewood, wrapping Christmas gifts, and serving community seniors’ dinners. Graduating students’ parents also provided a Safe Ride Home service for parties. “We decided to stick to what we do well and have done before,” said Young. “The community has been absolutely wonderful and supportive and it always helps to have a super good group of parents.”
For the two big nights Young suggests that students and parents “relax and enjoy it. Any confusion is not going to matter in the long run. I know that the kids are grateful to everybody in the community that has helped. Everyone steps up and contributes. It is one of the best things about Powell River and it shows this time of year.”
All three grad events take place at Hap Parker Arena. Dry Grad is not open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 pm on Friday, June 8 for the Brooks Cap and Gown event and at 6 pm on Saturday, June 9 for the Presentation of the Class of 2012.
