The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

Despite the disruptions of a global pandemic that have upended the school year for Sisters students, parents are seeking a way to provide traditional grad night festivities for Outlaws seniors.

They are seeking “sponsors” for students for grad night celebrations in June.

In a letter to parents, the grad night organizing committee noted, “...It is tradition in Sisters to host a post-graduation all-night party for graduating seniors. Graduation is scheduled for June 4, 2021, and the party will take place directly after the ceremony. Parties in past years have been from approximately 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The intent of the party is to provide a drug- and alcohol-free alternative for graduating seniors to celebrate their graduation together.”

It’s not clear what will be possible later in the year, and current conditions make fundraising for the traditional event a challenge.

The letter noted, “In past years fundraising events have been held throughout the school year to raise funds to support the party... The committee decided to seek donations from parents and community members to effectively ‘sponsor’ each graduating senior.”

The estimated cost of the party for each senior is $125.

“The committee recognizes that a $125 contribution is not a reasonable amount to ask from many of our families, and it is not a requirement for senior parents,” the letter stated. “We just ask that you consider making a donation in any amount, recognizing that the approximate cost will be $125 per senior. Additionally, if you can sponsor more than one senior, please consider doing so. Feel free to share this with other members of our community to assist us in reaching our fundraising goal of $125 per graduating senior. There are currently 106 graduating seniors making our overall goal $13,250.”

Tax-deductible donations may be made at http://ssd6.org/ssf/donatenow/. Type “Class of 2021 Grad Party” on the donation line. Checks can be mailed to: Sisters School Foundation, PO Box 2155, Sisters, OR 97759, noting “Class of 2021 Grad Party.”

Donors are urged to pass information along to other relatives who might be interested in helping.

The committee hopes to complete fundraising in 2020 so that planning can begin for the event in 2021. Early donations will be helpful in planning, the committee notes.

“These seniors have missed so much already and we are optimistic that by June we will be able to celebrate them,” said committee member Shari Bertagna.