When Promapalooza was first established in 2012, organizers simply hoped to attract around 100 or so students to the prom after party events for Destrehan and Hahnville high schools. They surpassed that goal — actually drawing a high of 170 students — and since then the event has done nothing but get bigger. Last year, about 600 combined students attended the events, 350 at Destrehan and 250 at Hahnville.
Promapalooza was established to provide a safe alternative for senior students to celebrate with one another after attending their prom. Students and their dates participate in an after-prom party held in the school’s gymnasium which includes a night of dancing, games, prizes, refreshments and much more.
“We give them a place to have fun that’s drug and alcohol-free,” said Mary Lou Sumrall, director of special programs for St. Charles Parish Public Schools. “Options for juniors and seniors as far as that party atmosphere are a bit limited, and you have all kinds of different teens headed to the city. We’ve had a great number of kids come out and everyone really enjoys themselves. We’re all exhausted when it’s over.”
United Way is one of the agencies that sponsors the event. Sumrall said that the money donated from the event sponsors go toward buying games, inflatables and prizes. Those prizes are meant to encourage participation and can be potentially won by simply attending. They have included iPads, televisions, ice chests, kayaks, computers and gift cards. Sumrall said roughly $8,000 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 United Way,” Sumrall said. “They put a lot of money toward prizes, food and activities.”
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 were filled with punches, students place them into a numbered bag corresponding with a numbered prize on the two prize tables.
“They have the chance to act like they’re 10-years old again and have a blast,” Sumrall said. “We know it’s been successful because of the number of kids we’ve had come and the fact that it keeps growing. The ultimate benefit is keeping these kids safe, but providing a lot of great fun at the same time.”
Sumrall recalled one prom night a few years ago where she had to drive home late on a foggy, misty night in which it was very hard to see.
“It struck me that because we do what we do, parents don’t have to worry about where their child is or how they might get home in that kind of a situation,” Sumrall said.
The Promapalooza effort is also supported by the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office, numerous businesses throughout the parish community and a host of volunteers.
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