To curb the drinking and driving usually associated with high school prom night, Salisbury High School is hosting the second annual after-prom party for students.
Following the success of last year’s event at Queen’s Landing on Lake Norman, the school is throwing this year’s bash at Jillian’s in Concord Mills. The prom is slated for Friday night at Salisbury Station.
The only other high school in Rowan County to hold a post-prom event is East Rowan, which invited students to its cafeteria for refreshments after Saturday night’s formal.
Renting Jillian’s for the night will cost the Salisbury group $5,000. Many individuals and businesses have contributed to the fund, including Central Carolina Bank, Silver Eagle Distributors, the Salisbury New Car Dealers Association and Salisbury High’s Parent-Teacher Association and Booster Club. Those in charge of the party say a donation might come from Mothers Against Drunk Driving, but money is still needed.
Students Against Drunk Driving, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and parents of juniors and seniors have all helped in planning the party.
After last year’s after-prom party at Lake Norman, students filled out a questionnaire listing activities they would like to see at this year’s party. Jillian’s fit students’ expectations, said Chris Boylan, assistant principal and dean of men, who is leading the effort.
Jillian’s extensive game room features arcade games, pingpong, air hockey, bowling and pool. The restaurant also boasts its own dance room and big screens to watch movies.
For a personalized touch, organizers have arranged to have a video filmed at the prom and played on the screens at Jillian’s. At other times, the students will watch a video of students on campus.
“I think that after all the seniors have been through together, a video of them on campus might be interesting,” Boylan said.
Boylan feels this year’s bash might top last year’s. Jillian’s offers more options for students.
“There’s so many fun things to choose from,” Boylan says.
Boylan said organizers wanted students to have fun and stay safe. Salisbury High has not lost any students to fatal car crashes in recent memory, and Boylan hopes to keep it that way.
Students are excited.
“I think it’s a really great place to throw the party, and I think it’s good that the school cares enough to make sure everyone stays safe,” said senior Stephanie Brincefield.
The party goes along with other efforts to get students to think safety on prom night. The school held an assembly this week and heard from Jason Barber, a California man who killed his brother while driving drunk. Barber now tours the nation warning against drinking and driving.
Students are also signing up for Prom Promise, in which they commit not to drink or use drugs while driving.
Next week, students will wear goggles that simulate drunkenness and try to maneuver a golf cart around an obstacle course. This week, East Rowan High School students participated in the program, organized by the N.C. Highway Patrol.
Boylan said he hopes Salisbury will continue its after-prom event in the future.
“I really want to ... have it every year. It’s a good thing for students to have a safe environment for the night of their lives,” he said.
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Staff writer Brad A. Hodges contributed to this article.
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