Spots Still Open For Safe Grad Cruise

Suffield High School seniors have a safe and fun option for their post-graduation festivities this year.

Seniors can celebrate by taking the safe party graduation cruise in Boston on June 18. The trip includes a three-hour ride in Boston Harbor a full meal and entertainment. It costs only $25.

The evening cruise will offer exciting views of the lights surrounding the harbor, said Diana Bentz, treasurer of the SHS safe party committee.

Graduates can take part in a casino night with play money and dance as a DJ plays hits and favorites. Cruise participants will be able to win prizes and gift cards to gas stations, Target, Best Buy, and Dunkin Donuts, Bentz said. Donations will also be used as prizes and are welcome.

The cruise is a popular draw, with 141 seniors and 14 chaperones signed up so far, Bentz said. She hopes to have 150 students or more.

Bentz said the graduation cruise has been a regular event since 1996 at the latest. She has been on the committee for the past six years.

The trip’s total cost is $16,000. The safe party committee earns money throughout the year from fundraisers, including bottle drives and a bake sale around Thanksgiving, Bentz said.

"We do any idea we can to raise money," Bentz said.

Bentz said that all the money raised is usually spent, but leftover funds are rolled over for the next year’s trip.

There are no other official safe graduation options besides the cruise according to the SHS main office.

The cost of the trip is $25 per person. Buses will leave SHS at 6:30 p.m. and leave Boston at midnight. Seniors interested in attending should bring the permission slip and $25 to the SHS main office as well as inquire there for more information.