Nearly 500 students combined from Destrehan and Hahnville High Schools attended their school’s respective Promapalooza event, enjoying the fun — and more importantly, safe — after prom alternative provided to senior students. The event was created in 2012 in an effort to allow students and their dates to celebrate with one another after attending their prom by providing an after-prom party held in their school’s gymnasium.
“We wanted to provide a fun, safe, alcohol and drug-free environment for students to celebrate with friends after prom,” said Paul Gibson, director of student support for St. Charles Parish Public Schools. “We noticed that there were limited options for after-prom celebrations and a large number of students went to the city. Therefore, we decided to start Promapalooza at each high school.”
The night includes dancing, games, prizes, refreshments and much more.
United Way of St. Charles is among the agencies that sponsors the event. Gibson said that the money donated from the event sponsors go toward renting games, inflatables and buying prizes. Those prizes are meant to encourage participation and can be potentially won by simply attending.
In past years, those prizes have included iPads, televisions, ice chests, kayaks, computers and gift cards. Gibson said roughly $10,000 is spent on prizes and gifts at the event, while other items are donated.
“This would be very difficult to do without the support we have from the United Way of St. Charles,” Gibson said. “They put a lot of money toward prizes, food and activities that allow this event to be a success.”
To be eligible to win the prizes, a student must stay through the end of the event, which begins at midnight. Students must check in by 1 a.m. and then the event becomes a “lock-in” until 3:30 a.m. For a student to leave before that time, the parents must first be called and alerted.
Juniors and seniors receive punch cards to play games throughout the night. Past Promapalooza events have included games like a sumo wrestling contest, Plinko, Twister and an obstacle course called Adrenaline Rush. Each game played results in two or three holes punched into attendee’s cards. After the cards are filled with punches, students place them into a numbered bag corresponding with a numbered prize on the two prize tables.
“Students have the chance to act like they’re 10-years old again and have a blast,” Gibson said. “We know it’s been successful because of the number of students we’ve had come and the fact that it keeps growing. The ultimate benefit is keeping kids safe, and providing a lot of great fun at the same time.”
He also said that the support of and efforts made by teachers, parents, volunteers and local businesses have all contributed to the reality of an event that has grown by leaps and bounds past what initial planners envisioned.
Be the first to comment