SRCS All Night Grad Party

Just a few short hours after graduation on June 21st, the annual tradition of food, treats, fun activities, entertainment and memories to last a lifetime began for the 107 participants and lasted into the wee hours of the morning, six o’clock the next morning to be exact.

The All Night Graduation Party is a final gathering for all the seniors. Parents and students realize that graduation is a milestone that it should be celebrated. However, it can be a scary time of year for parents, principals and staff. Graduation is a time when energy and excitement runs high and students feel invincible. Drinking and drugs are often part of the celebration and the results can be tragic.

The ANGP is a community supported way for all seniors to get together one last time in a safe, alcohol and drug free environment before moving on to new directions. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Alcoholism/ Chemical Dependency Prevention Program, as well as parents and staff from the All Night Grad Party Committee, worked hard throughout the school year organizing fundraisers as well as planning the party.

A large portion of the party is paid for by fundraising events and donations from the community. Students pay five dollars for themselves and a guest. The fundraising events that went on during the year were a Trivia Night with a Chinese auction of themed baskets donated by staff, local businesses and families of graduating seniors. There was a night of Donkey Basketball, selling of Superbowl squares and a Golf Tournament. Senior Relief for Cash Day was a day where seniors headed out into the neighboring communities to ask various businesses to sponsor a hole for the Golf Tournament. Due to mother nature not being in our favor, the golf tournament has been postponed and will be rescheduled at a later date.

The theme for this year’s party was “Neon and Glow”. There were glow in the dark decorations, black lights, glow sticks and flashing lights. Students also wore bright neon clothing that would glow in the dark. Tables and chairs in the cafeteria were decorated with white tablecloths with bright colored decorations. Colorful confetti and glow sticks bouquets adorned the tables. The decorating started a few days before the event and was done by the Akwesasne Coalition for Community Empowerment.

Crackers, cheese, pepperoni, fruit and vegetable platters as well a chicken wings awaited the students to snack on while they waited for the magician to begin his show. A candy buffet with gummi worms and bears, skittles, sweet tarts, lollipops and chocolate bars helped satisfy the sweet tooth in everyone.

The magician, Brian Geer, wowed the students with his card tricks as well as other amazing tricks. When he was finished, all the seniors and chaperones boarded buses to the Lucky Strikes bowling alley in Malone for some cosmic bowling and a friendly pool tournament. Pizza and soda were available for the hungry bowlers.

Once back at school the students had several choices of activities to participate in. There was a blow up ring for anyone who wanted to box with very oversized gloves or play gladiator and test his balance on the platform while jousting with his opponent. The gym was dark but a volleyball game was going on by the glow of the neon decorations. There was also a volleyball game going on in the pool as well as other pool fun.

At four o’clock a.m., the students made their way to the auditorium for the much-awaited hypnotist show. Michael Blaine captivated his audience by “relaxing” a group of their classmates to the point that he could get them to do things they normally would not do. He had them thinking they were in a movie theatre and had them showing emotions according to the type of movie they were watching. They were all laughing when Blaine said they were watching a comedy, they showed scared faces when they thought they were watching a horror movie and crying at a sad movie. Blaine had students rocking and dancing on stage as Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera, Taylor Swift and LMFAO. The audience totally enjoyed watching their classmates perform as the room was full of laughter and cheers.

As the students left the auditorium to head back to the cafeteria, daylight had already descended upon the school. Breakfast was awaiting the students as well as gifts. Each senior received a pair of sweat pants with “2013” down the pant leg. Gift cards were also given out to the students who helped out with fundraising throughout the year. Also, prizes were given out to the pool tournament winners. The first place winner, Tyler Rule, received a pool stick and the second place winner received a gift card.

All the students commented that they had a great time and were glad they participated. The favorite activity seemed to be the hypnotist but students liked all the activities. “I thought things went well. There were no issues, no drama, everyone was well behaved and in a good mood. All the seniors had just graduated and just wanted to have fun together,” commented Megan Bushey, A/CDP Prevention Program.

Congratulations to all the 2013 graduates and Best Wishes in all your future endeavors.

THE SALMON RIVER ALL NIGHT GRAD PARTY COMMITTEE THANKS THE FOLLOWING BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS FOR ALL OF THEIR SUPPORT AND DONATIONS TO HELP MAKE THIS DRUG AND ALCOHOL FREE PARTY A HUGE SUCCESS.

Divalissa

HS Nurses

Elijah Benedict

SRC Middle School Staff

SRC Attendance and Guidance Staff

Alison Benedict

Mohawk Bingo Palace

Grade 4 Teachers

Mrs. Kelly

SRC Administrators

SRC Language Department

Kim Russell

SRC Science Department

Pre-k and Grade 1 Teachers

SRC Math Department

Snye Recreation

Kim and Norman Herne

Melody Point

Patty and Wilson Ransom

Akwesasne Puppy Style

Hattie Bashaw

CKON 97.3

Free Trader

Indian Time

Spinners Pizzeria

SRC Community Based Work Experience Program

Robert Lapage

Akwesasne Mohawk Casino

A/CDP Prevention Program

Bears Den

Akwesasne Coalition for Community Empwerment

Jreck Subs

JOM Program

Signs and Stitches

Diane and Bob Curleyhead

Parent of Jackie Benedict

Parent of Tyler Rule

Nancy Greene

Parent of John Bonaparte

Leigh Oakes

Grade 3 Teachers

Parent of Kyle Green

Parent of Samantha Monette

Parent of Kaitlyn Pickering

Parent of Cassady Bryington

Parent of Emily Tremblay

SRMS Cafeteria Staff

SRC Cafeteria

Parent of Ryan Barnes

Parent of David Patenode

Parent of Matthew Wyble

Parent of Aaron Francis

Parent of Jarid Gray

Family of Keira Brill Oakes

South Bombay General Repair

Johnston’s Sawmill

Pine Ridge Campsite

Shat’s Deli

Collette’s One Stop

Elm Circle

KFC

Smith Lumber

Parent of Zaagate Jock

Leroux Oil Co.

Forts Brickhouse Pizzeria

Laughing Crow Winery

Lawrence Roundpoint

Paul Jackson

3 Feathers Internet Café

Speedway Plaza

Wild Bills

Gloria Herne

Terry Cree

Akwesasne Mini Mart

T-19 Sports

AK Gas

Kings Marina

C & D Trucking

Price Chopper

Healthy Way

Italian Affair

Durants Auto

Martz Communications

Ellis Automotive

S & S Auto Sales

Swamps Performance

Traditional Lacrosse

Akwak’s

Smoke Stacks

Lazore’s Construction

S & S Sanitation and Excavation

Akwesasne American Legion Post 1479

Malone Office Products

Gray Fuels

Fort Covington American Legion Post 1418

Fisher Associates

Water Services, Inc.

Dr. Danielle Dubuc

Parent of Thomas Roundpoint

Grace and Allan’s Tobacco Shop

Dr. William Latreille

J & J Brokers LLC

Malone Lodge of Elks

Community Bank

Brockways Sanitation

North Franklin Federal Credit Union

Native Trading

Ferguson Waterworks

Women of the Moose #285