School gears up for graduation celebration

Organizers are looking for donations for the 2002 SHS Graduation All-Night Celebration. The event is organized and chaperoned by parents of juniors and seniors at the high school.

This "safe and sane" celebration is made possible by donations made by generous supporters and parents.

"We need donations of merchandise, services, gift certificates, or cash," said organizing committee member Pattie Little.

"Ray's Food Place, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Eberhards have been generous donors in the past, providing us with food for the event."

This year's all-night party will start on June 6, right after the graduation ceremony. The students will board busses and be transported to Sun Mountain Sports Center. Bowling, billiards, miniature golf, and batting cages are just a few of the activities the students will be able to enjoy -- along with Karoake.

"Every year Paul Stone (youth pastor at Three Sisters Fellowship) donates his time and brings his Karoake equipment. The kids love it! Several other youth pastors from around town come and work the blackjack table," said Little.

During the celebration, the students will all receive gift bags, filled with contributions from local businesses such as Multnomah, Weitech, and Haken. Ten major prizes will also be raffled off to graduating students. One fortunate senior will walk away from the event with the keys to a car.

"Robberson Ford will be donating a car," said Little, who doesn't know the make and model of the vehicle at this time.

"Other major prizes include an annual ski pass to Hoodoo, a small refrigerator, a microwave, camping gear -- we try to get prizes that will be useful to the students when they go off to college."

Kathryn Godsiff, mother of senior Logan Godsiff, is excited about being on the Grad Night committee.

"Not only is Logan graduating that day -- it's his birthday!" she said. "I have chaperoned this event in the past and had a son, Evan, attend last year. I think the celebrations are a great way for the kids to let off steam. It's much better than turning them loose in the community."

Little said that the parties are well-attended, with approximately 95 percent of the graduating class participating.

"It is just so much fun," she said. "The kids all run around, laughing and screaming, like a bunch of fifth and sixth graders. It is a wonderful experience for everyone."

Little is encouraged by the response she's received.

"It takes about 25 to 30 volunteer junior parents to run the event," she said. "The parents of the seniors stick to fund-raising and organizing the party. I am pleased with the response I've received from parents, and I'm also getting a healthy response from the merchants I've contacted."

For more information call Pattie Little at 548-0157. Contributions can be mailed to Sisters High School, All-Night Celebration, P.O. Box 3099, Sisters, OR 97759.