After months classified as top secret, the theme for the Berkley High School All-Night Party has been revealed. “BHS Tailgate” was selected by popular vote during a planning meeting in November 2011, but kept secret until it was announced to the soon-to-be graduates at a class meeting on March 28. The party will be held on Thursday, June 7 directly following commencement from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
“It’s a tradition to keep the theme secret, and do all the planning under the cloak of secrecy,” said Kathy Prappas, who is co-chairing the event along with fellow volunteers Joanne Aronovitz and Jodie Krasnick. “We love to reveal the theme to the kids all at once as a kick-off to April ticket sales.”
The event is a long-standing tradition at Berkley High School. Dating back to the 1980s, the party is a send-off for each year’s graduating class and is an all-volunteer effort, with parents, community members and staff pitching in to help wish the students well. Each year, the theme sets the stage for the event and provides a cohesive look and feel.
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The party is held at the high school and occupies both gyms and the Athletic Hallway connecting the two spaces. The committee hires fortune tellers, caricaturists, henna artists, a hypnotist and a DJ, plus casino games, bouncy games, music video equipment, and many more activities to occupy the graduates. Guests can also swim, graze at the Bear Paw food area and socialize all night.
“The party also provides a safe, secure alcohol- and drug-free environment for our graduates to celebrate their accomplishments and have one last party together as a class,” said Prappas.
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Tickets to the event are $50 in advance and $60 at the door, and the planning committee has a goal of 100% attendance. To raise funds for a party that costs well over $10,000, various fundraisers are held throughout the school year, including a spring flower sale and a graduation yard sign sale.
“Our graduation sign sale is new and is going very well. We are offering an 18” by 24” plastic sign which reads ‘Home of a 2012 Berkley High School Graduate!’ in maroon and navy, the school colors. It’s perfect for families of grads or for anyone who wants to celebrate the achievement of a special student,” said Prappas. The signs sell for $15.
“The kids get excited about the event and we are thrilled to be able to provide it for our kids. Many neighboring schools have out-sourced their events, and bus their kids to out-of-town venues, but we feel strongly as a community that we want to provide a fun, safe celebration for our kids and help make this one of the most memorable nights of their lives,” Prappas. said
Fundraising effort information:
Spring Flower Sale: A variety of annuals perfect for flowerbeds, plus several options of hanging planters. Orders accepted until April 20. Pickup is Friday, May 11 from 3-6 p.m. at the BHS Courtyard. Contact Connie Reinholm (248) 544-7832.
Graduation Yard Sign Sale: Purchase an 18”x24” coroplast yard sign and sturdy H yard stake for just $15. All proceeds go towards the Senior All-Night Party. Contact Laura Archambault (248) 545-6453.
Financial donations:
In addition to fundraising, the Senior All-Night Party is supported by local community members and businesses who donate funds, gift certificates or items to underwrite the cost of the party. To donate toward this meaningful effort, contact MaryBeth Braun at (248) 544-1723.
To get the latest information on this exciting event, students, parents and community members can “like” us on Facebook (search for Berkley High School 2012 Graduation All Night Party) or Twitter @BHSGradParty12 and receive regular updates.
