Parents find peace post-prom

Students who pony up the ticket price to attend Glenbard West High School's post-prom celebration know they will be getting their money's worth with a night full of music, food, fun, games and free stuff.

But for parents, the payoff is peace of mind. They know their son or daughter will be in a safe environment during Glenbard West's prom night April 26 at Lifetime Fitness in Bloomingdale.

For organizer Erin Moroni, that's the whole idea.

"Statistics have proven that prom night is the single most dangerous night of the year," said Moroni, the chair for this year's event.

With a theme of "Do You Believe in Magic," the Glenbard West/CARES/post- prom committee hopes to serve an even larger number of students than last year in an event that seems to keep growing in popularity. About 500 attended last year's event.

"We're expecting more," Moroni said.

Organizers have hit on what seems to be the winning formula for attracting a large number to the event. First, it's open to all juniors and seniors, whether or not they have a date to prom.

Ticket prices are affordable at $15 each, $20 at the door. The event begins at 11:30 p.m. and lasts until the wee hours of the morning with plenty of teen-friendly activities.

"There are all sorts of fun things for them to do," Moroni said.

In addition to sports-related activities such as swimming, volleyball, basketball and climbing wall, there will be a fortune teller, a coffeehouse complete with music and a diner with food.

Then there are the prizes.

"The big draw is the things that are given away," Moroni said.

Many of the items are donated from businesses and individuals in the community. Even the food is donated.

"We're talking about some unbelievable generosity," Moroni added. "The community is so involved."

There are hundreds of gifts, including gift cards, spa packages, autographed items, and two grand prizes of a laptop for some fortunate junior and a flat screen TV with a popular gaming system for a senior. Students are given tickets and drawings are held throughout the night.

"It's encouragement for them to stay until the end," Moroni said.

The festivities last until 4 am. The effort has grown in size and scope since the first event 12 years ago.

"It just started with some concerned parents," Moroni said. "Each year the committee would grow and add a few more things."

Now there are dozens of parent volunteers who facilitate the event, with committees to organize ticket sales, chaperones, games, the coffeehouse and diner, the prize table and cleanup.

This year's event has been dubbed Operation Safe Celebration by the Glenbard West Community Action Resource Education Safe Haven Network or CARES.

Gilda Ross, parent of a senior at Glenbard West and a post-prom committee member, can vouch for the fact that the Glenbard West events have become an example for other schools to follow.

As a school counselor and Glenbard West School and Community Projects Coordinator, Ross has received outside inquiries about West's successful post-prom event. In 2006, Glenbard West's post-prom festivities were the subject of a Fox News Chicago story.

"There is so much interest from the other schools about this," she said.

Moroni understands why other schools would seek to emulate the successful ideas to provide an alternative to the party scene where kids might make some bad choices. It's a win-win for students and parents.

"We are providing an entertainment-filled night," Moroni said. "Parents can relax. Peace of mind is the biggest thing."