2016 BHS Post-Grad Party at Kings

For 25 years, the Burlington community has come together to host an all-night celebration for the graduating high school class.  For Seniors, it's a highly anticipated event.  For their parents, it eliminates worries about their child's safety on graduation night.

Since its inception, no Burlington graduates have been involved in alcohol-related accidents on their graduation night.  Typically, more than 90 percent of graduates attend.  Planning for the event began in January by parent-volunteers.  The event also depends on donations from residents and businesses for money, prizes and food.  The reward is an investment in students that is paid back each year as the tradition grows.

For the 2nd year in a row, the event was hosted by Kings Burlington.  On the evening of Sunday, June 5th, the graduates checked in between 10 and 11 p.m. for the party and enjoyed the evening's entertainment until 5 a.m. Monday.

The Post-Grad Party is a night of food, festivities and friendship for all who attended.  Soon after the graduates are checked in, they mingled with their fellow classmates and got to show off their skills in the various games that Kings offer - billiards, darts, shuffleboard, ten-pin bowling or take in a movie in the Crown Studio Theater.  At around 11:30pm, a comedy-hypnotist arrived and put on a memorable show that involved 12 BHS Graduates.  The acts included 6 boys and 6 girls who were all eager to be hypnotized.  The boys were all told that they were the best ever booty shakers in the world, and the girls were famous ballerinas.  The boys took turns twerking and proving why they were the best, while the girls scoffed at them and preceded to show off their ballerina moves.  For another hilarious act, the boys were told that they are 'N Sync.  While the DJ played 'N Sync's song, "Bye, Bye, Bye" in the background, the boys each took turns singing and dancing to parts of the song.  They truly believed they were 'N Sync.  Meanwhile, one of the girls imitated Taylor Swift.

The audience (their classmates) really had a lot of laughs.  Once the show was over, there was additional entertainment: a roving magician; 2 Tarot card readers, a green screen for single and group pictures; and air-brush tattoos!  The Seniors participated and was entertained by the many activities right up until 5am.  Prior to everyone leaving the party, e was given a goodie bag and a special gift to take home with them.

Here are a couple of quotes from the graduates:

"Even though I was exhausted at the end, I had a blast.  The hypnotist was so fun."

"The whole night was a blast and every person was very entertained for the entire time there."

The Post Grad Party Committee would like to thank all of the parents who volunteered to chaperone the event.  This party would not be possible without their help.

Also, much appreciation goes out to the following individuals and companies for their contributions:

AAA; American Legion Millican-MacKenzie Post 273; Boston Sword and Tuna; Burlington Firefighters (IAFF Local 2313); Burlington Police Patrolman's Association; Burlington Recreation Dept.; Burlington Rotary Club; Burlington Schools Secretaries Union; Burlington Educator's Assoc.; Brian & Gayle Curtin; Doct Express; Gulde Insurance Agency; Harvard Pilgrim Health; K & R Tree Landscape Co.; Knights of Columbus c/o Burl 49'ers; Mount Hope Christian Center; PTO's - Fox Hill, Francis Wyman, MSMS, Memorial and Pine Glen; Riemer & Braunstein; Roche Bros; Roots Yoga; Salem Five Bank

Class of 2016 T-Shirts, with a logo designed by senior Isabella Morgan, are sponsored by the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce.  The donors who funded the T-shirts for every senior are: Kings; 3rd Ave Burlington; Cambridge Savings Bank; The Gutierrez Company; Lahey Hospital & Medical Center; Long's; Mercedes-Benz of Burlington; The District Burlington; Oracle; Realty Experts; Riemer & Braunstein; FT Fitness Together; EXIT-Sonia Rollins; Winbrook Promo.

Food donations: Dunkin' Donuts; Flatbread Company; Kings; Not Your Average Joe's; Pizza Works; Schoolhouse Ice Cream; Shaw's; Wegman's.

Many parents of high school students also supported the event with donations matching their child's year of graduation ($20.16, $20.17, etc.).  The names of donors and sponsors will also be posted on our website:  http://bhspostgradparty.weebly.com/