BY
KELLY SMITH FOR THE SIERRA STAR
KELLY SMITH
Amber Dowling (right) Sumo wrestles with Britney Grahlman at this
year’s sober graduation party.
Every year Yosemite
High School bids farewell to another graduating class of seniors,
but before saying the final goodbye, YHS hosts the annual Sober
Grad Night. Newly graduated students get a chance to win tons of
prizes in a fun and safe environment.
Following the graduation ceremony, hugs of congratulations and some
final farewells, the party was just getting started at the bowling
alley, Sierra Lanes. Dozens of people and many, many hours of work
go into the Sober Grad project each year, binding together students,
YHS staff and faculty, the local sheriff’s department and the Highway
Patrol.
Thousands of dollars in cash and prizes donated by the community
contributed to the event’s many activities such as Sumo wrestling,
bowling and cards. Each student entered his/her name at the entrance
to win a Saturn donated by Lela and Marty Mayfohrt of Madera Auto
Mall. This is the fifth year they have sponsored the event.
Other prizes donated from businesses throughout the community included
a computer, mini-fridge, a scooter, theme park tickets, health and
beauty supplies, and even $2,000 in cash.
An average of 200 or more graduating seniors usually attend Sober
Grad Night along with several teachers and staff who help out with
food and behind the casino tables. Several deputies were also present
to “hang out” with the students and help provide for a safe and
sober environment.
As for the students, being with friends and a chance to win a car
and other great prizes were worth staying until 5 a.m.
“I’m here just to hang out with my friends one last time, the last
time to hang out with everyone all at once,” said Cody Campbell
who will be heading off to Monterey State in the fall.
Nikki Samuels, attending Fresno City to become an English teacher,
helped organize Sober Grad last year and enjoyed it so much she
made it her senior project this year. She participated in fund raising
and presented the project to her senior English class.
Yet without the leadership and hard work of home economics teacher
Linda Heinbach, Samuels said, “Sober Grad would not have been the
same.” As students were coming and going, Heinbach was greeting
them with words and hugs of congratulations. She was busy handing
out tokens for the casino and video games and, even in the middle
of the night, seemed to have more energy than some of the students.
In the wee hours of the morning, prizes were handed out to those
students who managed to stay all night long. In the end, graduate
Adam Dunn received the donated Saturn.
Without all the help of the students, YHS and the community, and
a couple hundred teenagers willing to stay up until 5 a.m., a fun
and safe Sober Grad would never be the success it was on that late
Wednesday evening.
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