Five SHS seniors encourage peers to attend alternative send-off

The annual senior party has become a passage of sorts over the past few decades. The end-of-the-year gatherings orchestrated by graduating high school seniors tend to be larger than parties hosted throughout the school year. Some years, a big senior party is held -- often in the middle of a field or pasture. Other times, the gatherings are smaller and more secluded -- designed to prevent attendees from being caught.

For some students, the senior party marks their first time consuming alcohol or other contraband.

"Most people get busted, though," Spencer High School (SHS) senior Sean Elliott forewarned of such gatherings.

While plans may not even be in the making yet for this year's crop of seniors, a substance-free alternative being planned by several local families is gaining popularity.

Taylor Allen, Craig Cunningham, Elliott, Tyler Kacmarynski and Brittany Sikora are among the seniors aiming to take part in the festivities celebrating their approaching graduations.

They're also encouraging others in the Class of 2009 to take part.

Kacmarynski is among those in his class who have consciously chosen not to drink alcohol underage. The senior reports he's been asked to several drinking parties, but just says no to them. Kacmarynski, in fact, said he's looking forward to "something different to do."

"I've heard there's going to be food there, activities, games and prizes you can win. I think it's a good way if you don't want to go drink and stuff to go have fun," he said.

Elliott, his friend, is also looking forward to the alternative senior send-off currently taking shape.

"It won't stop a senior party, but it will get all the seniors who drink and don't drink together for one last time. This is going to be one night where even if you're going to go out and have a senior party, you can still show up and have fun without the drinking with other kids who don't drink," he said. " ... People might think it's more fun to go out and drink, but having one night of just being sober will be fun, too. I just hope a lot of people show up."

Kacmarynski, Elliott, Allen, Sikora and Cunningham said they don't know if another senior party with alcohol is being planned. In fact, none of the five seemed to care because they're looking forward to attending the alternative option with their graduating peers.

"I've heard stories of dogs being used to chase down people, and I just think I don't want to see myself being bitten by a dog," Allen said matter-of-factly. "I just think it's stupid to go out and drink, come back and make yourself look like an idiot because of what you did the night before."

Of the '09 senior send-off being arranged, he added, "I think it's a good idea because it gets people away from that and it gives them something different to do. And, I've heard there are prizes that you can win. I like video games and I'm a big gamer. So, regardless of who's there, I'm going to be there. And, there will be food -- so I'll be eating. I like this because it's something different. I can go there, have fun and not have to worry about other people who are drunk being obnoxious and starting trouble. Plus, it's a good way to set an example for underclassmen. Maybe they'll see that this is kind of cool and think, 'We should do this next year.'"

Just as past senior parties have, this year's gathering will be held the night before commencement rehearsal, which is scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. Friday, May 15, in the Spencer Fieldhouse. Sikora, who served as a junior attendant at last year's commencement ceremony, recalled 2008 SHS seniors returning to school for the rehearsal still intoxicated.

"There was a lot of still slightly not there people," she recalled. "It was their choice -- but I don't have any need or desire to drink. I guess that's just a personal choice. I have a lot of friends who do drink, and they don't really invite me because they know I don't drink. And, that's OK. Once you say, 'No, I don't want to,' they're good about not trying to pressure you into it."

She also thinks this year's senior send-off being planned by senior parents will be a lot of fun.

"They want it to be fun for us and they're trying hard to make it a fun night for us. It should be that way," Sikora predicted.

"Hopefully, this might start a trend," Cunningham added while encouraging other seniors to attend.

"They're not going to say, 'Oh, you drank in high school. You're not allowed to be here.' That's not what it's about," he assured. "It's about providing a place to go one last time to get together and have some fun."