Bonnie Cranmer
Contributing writer
This year’s After Prom Party for Craig County junior and senior high school students was a success. With the help of many local businesses and individuals, the event provided a safe space for students celebrating together. The group of 77 (out of the 88 total in 11th and 12th grades) headed to Thunder Valley after the prom at the Salem Civic Center on April 5.
The late night event was filled with activities, food and lots of fun, and ran from 10:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Students enjoyed unlimited Go-Kart rides, laser tag, mini-golf, and arcade games. Games such as the limbo, “Name That Tune” and the ever-popular tug-of-war game between Juniors and Seniors kept the laughs going. There were gift cards and other prizes given away throughout the night. Multiple “Grand Prize” giveaways, including concert tickets, an Ipad, a new Iphone, and an Ocular Quest VR headset wrapped up the night. All of this was offered to the students at no cost to them, thanks to the generous donations of businesses and individuals in the community.
“This is the fourth year we’ve done a “destination” after prom event… Attendance has grown each year,” stated Karen Jones, one of the members of the planning committee. The After Prom committee members included Nicole Bell (chairwoman), Tasha Hannah, Amanda Horne, Gina Smith, Nichole Zimmerman, Robin Menezes, and Karen Jones. Chaperones for the event were the committee members plus Susan Stimeling, Elizabeth Foster, George Foster, Shaun Hannah, Jason Horne, Crystal Hickson.
“We’d really like to thank all of our community members whose generous donations made this possible. They really send the message to our kids that someone cares about them and wants them to be safe on prom night,” Jones shared. After prom events provide a safe space for students to continue celebrating their special night, building memories and instilling a sense of community support.
