SC parents pick up post-prom party

By David Montgomery
Capital Journal staff
Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, Feb 09, 2010 - 12:40:41 am CST

FORT PIERRE — After dancing the night away at prom, many Stanley County High School juniors and seniors go to an official post-prom where games and entertainment offer an alternative to private parties.

But the long-term future of the post-prom event may be in doubt.

For the last several years, the community group Fort Pierre Women of Today has organized the event. That group — which has few mothers of school-age children — has now stepped aside, forcing parents of juniors and seniors to step up to the plate.

“I believe we need to continue this,” parent Paula Alexander told the Stanley County School Board Monday evening.

“It’s been a successful program. It provides our kids a place to go after prom that’s safe, drug-free and alcohol free. They bowl, they play games, and there’s usually a form of entertainment.”

Alexander and fellow parent Jeri Wieczorek said they have volunteered to organize the event for this year, but want to set up something more formal for the future.

“I’m afraid if we keep passing it from parent to parent, we’re going to lose it,” Wieczorek said.

The post-prom requires several volunteer chaperones to keep the event running. It also requires a lot of fundraising to pay the $750 fee to rent the bowling alley for the night and to provide prizes for students to win.

The school district has no official role or legal liability for the post-prom, and school board members said they don’t want that to change.

“I don’t necessarily see it as a school function,” said board member John Duffy. “I want to see it happen, though.”

Duffy, a 1989 graduate from the district, said parents organized the post-prom when he was in high school. That, Duffy said, was part of the incentive for students to go.

“The parents always made fools of themselves. That’s why we went,” Duffy said. “They put on skits and did games. You didn’t want to miss so-and-so dressing up as such-and-such.”

Alexander and Wieczorek rejected one possible fundraising solution — charging admission to the post-prom — because that might discourage students from attending an event parents want them to attend.

Student body president Seth Lopour said students are willing to help out with fundraisers such as selling T-shirts.

Organizers and board members talked about finding another community group to organize the post-prom in the future, but don’t have high hopes.

“There’s no financial benefit for the group that takes it on,” Duffy said. “I don’t see any other group that’s going to step forward.”

But school officials said they are glad Alexander and Wieczorek took over the event this year.

“It’s a ton of work,” said teacher Shirley Swanson. “For you two to take it on, kudos.”

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Comments

32 comment(s)

same ol wrote on Mar 4, 2010 10:38 AM:

" Once again our society is never happy with anything. Everyone can always find something to bicker and complain about. These blogs prove it time and time again. Articles about positive things always turn negative because of those people who think it should've been done this way..that way..or the other. I really feel bad for all of us and how things have gotten these days. Thanks to everyone who tries to do something positive for our kids and our community. "

happy parent wrote on Feb 18, 2010 12:47 PM:

" I absolutely agree it shouldn't be about the gifts but hey my junior won about $200 worth of things and thought it was great while the seniors won small things like $5 gift cards so I hope again this year they have nice gifts and the seniors come out on top this time and he will definately benefit again....... "

JUST A THOUGHT wrote on Feb 15, 2010 11:34 AM:

" Maybe the parents could all get together and talk about this. Someone could step up and organize a parent meeting, that way you guys can talk to the people in charge yourself and this wouldn't be such a big issue. For you people that are worried about prizes your being very catty. Who cares about what prizes anyone gets, its more about providing a safe and fun place for kids so they aren't out drinking or doing something they aren't suppose to. Find something better to fight about. Think about the kids having fun, not the prizes! "

Me wrote on Feb 15, 2010 11:24 AM:

" A great resource on this would be Barb Biwer. She and Penny Booth helped to organize the first post proms in the 80s and ran them even after all of their kids had graduated. "

Parent of a Senior wrote on Feb 14, 2010 5:40 PM:

" The articles says "forcing parents of juniors and seniors to step up to the plate". I'm a parent of a senior I haven't been asked to help with this. Am I supposed to contact one of you? "

85 alumni wrote on Feb 14, 2010 9:54 AM:

" I had a great time at our post prom party back in '85. I'm not sure who organized it (probably parents), but thanks for doing it! I'll send my donation to Jeri and Paula and hope others will do the same. "

Sc wrote on Feb 13, 2010 1:13 PM:

" And you wonder why my kids go to Pierre..I didn't like the 4-day, I didn't like the boards leadership, and now my neighbors are fighting about a party for kids..AUGHHHHHHHHH..To Paula and Jeri looks like you have all kinds of experts to help ya... "

Pierre mom wrote on Feb 13, 2010 10:42 AM:

" As a parent of a Pierre student who graduated several years ago I can share that the drawing was done so the seniors received the big ticket items. There were 2 seperate pots that names went into for the drawing. Seniors being eligablle for microwaves, tvs, etc. and junior receiving smaller but very nice items. Good job Ft. Pierre for continuing this great tradition! "

Am I wrong wrote on Feb 13, 2010 9:56 AM:

" Sounds like they need money for the bowling alley, right? Leftover money is used for prizes ? The prizes are drawn for. So what is the problem? Are there other parents who chaperone? Do you need chaperones? Do they just sign up with you? I'm sure there are alot of parents out there who would chaperone. "

SC MoM wrote on Feb 12, 2010 8:09 PM:

" Thank you Paula and Jeri for taking this on. It will be a great post prom, and there are alot of parents who are greatful!!!!!!! "

dumb issue wrote on Feb 12, 2010 6:20 PM:

" squabbling about prizes is the dumbest thing I've read in a long time! The after prom activities are great for keeping our kids safe and letting them have fun. Start asking for donations early in the year. Do fundraising for the prom party and then use what you get. If the kids want fun prizes, they can help raise the money for the prizes. There are businesses/organizations that have funds set aside to use for donations. Contact local insurance agencies, clubs, churches, groups that community members belong to and they will donate because its for their customers/clients. "

to to back at you wrote on Feb 12, 2010 11:42 AM:

" exactly! so be careful how YOU u word your blogs next time! "

to to bad wrote on Feb 12, 2010 10:29 AM:

" I'm not sure people are bickering. I think they are giving opinions. I'm not even sure people are upset. Don't read more into it than there is. "

to back at ya wrote on Feb 12, 2010 9:40 AM:

" the difference between us is that I wasn't complaining about what anybody got!! YOU do understand that the prizes are drawn for so it was fair for everyone anyway get over it and move on. There are certainly more important issues in the world than whether or not your kid got a good prize their junior year or senior year... yeesh! junior prom...junior/senior prom...it is all semantics and it is petty. "

To Bad wrote on Feb 11, 2010 10:00 PM:

" How about ask Pierre they have been doing this for yrs/ and they have no bickering..this is embarraing we go people upset and we haven't even got one under our belt...Some Parent from Pierre with exsperiance join the blog.. "

no problem wrote on Feb 11, 2010 6:49 PM:

" everyone donate money or a prize and there should be enough prizes to go around for everyone "

why wrote on Feb 11, 2010 6:47 PM:

" This is GREAT some come forward to help with the post prom, and we are mad about who gets what prize. Be happy these two are helping to keep it going. "

Me too wrote on Feb 11, 2010 3:24 PM:

" I would also like to thank the Fort Pierre Woman of Today. Thank you for your many years of service to the post prom party. I'm sure it was appreciated by many parents, students over the years. "

Back at ya wrote on Feb 11, 2010 3:22 PM:

" my point is it would make sense for the seniors that are graduating THIS YEAR to get the bigger type prizes as they are leaving first and could use it first. You say you are a teacher in SC well then you should be aware that it is a junior senior prom not just a junior prom. And as you say everyone gets their day. So the juniors would get "their" day as seniors the next year right? "

to whoa wrote on Feb 11, 2010 9:01 AM:

" If they get the gift as a jr can't they still use it for college?
As a teacher there I am full aware of who hosts the prom.. The point is that each class gets their day! "

former paretn wrote on Feb 11, 2010 8:14 AM:

" I would like to say THANK YOU to the Fort Pierre Women of Today group for organizing and helping with this event for so many years and I am glad someone else is willing to take it over as it can be a VERY big task for any group.
Look for an upcoming membership drive for the local WOT group in March! "

and wrote on Feb 10, 2010 5:03 PM:

" I was there when they did the drawing. it was the luck of the draw. It had nothing to do with them being juniors, seniors. "

whoa to the person who responded to SC Parent wrote on Feb 10, 2010 5:03 PM:

" It is the Junior Senior Prom. It is not just for the Juniors. They are the "host" of the prom. I think what SC parent might have been getting at (or at least my thought) is the bigger prizes (college minded prizes) fridge, tv, microwave, computer, etc... would be used by the seniors who are graduating and going of to college. Then this years Juniors would have the same benefit when they were seniors. And so on and so on. And I do agree, be thankful for whatever prize you get. "

to SC parent wrote on Feb 10, 2010 8:52 AM:

" It is the JUNIOR class prom. They raise the money, plan & decorate. Theoretically it's their night. Just like the seniors did the year before. So maybe those poor seniors did get the nicer prizes the previous year. What I think is sad, is someone turning their nose up or complaining about receiving a gift at all! Just another example of how some parents are raising their children to feel they are entitled to everything. Teach them to appreciate everything that is given to them! And the people that worked hard to do so. "

Mrs. S wrote on Feb 9, 2010 10:46 PM:

" I would be willing to be the contact person for any of you who wish to help, but do not know how to contact Paula and Jeri. If you e-mail me at shirley.swanson@k12.sd.us, I will put you in contact with them. "

Bingo wrote on Feb 9, 2010 9:13 PM:

" Love the kids and Paula and Jeri would be the first to come forward and help in any way. "

Jami wrote on Feb 9, 2010 2:59 PM:

" I would LOVE to know how to get involved! I would help out for sure! I am not a parent of a High Schooler, but i did graduate from Riggs in 2004.
Someone let me know! "

TO FPWT wrote on Feb 9, 2010 2:24 PM:

" This is a note to Fort Pierre Women of Today. Do you ever do a membership drive or WELCOME new members to YOUR group? Maybe you should? And then "

SC parent wrote on Feb 9, 2010 12:40 PM:

" I would like to thank both of you for taking on such a tough task and I hope things go smoothly for you. I do have to say however I am very glad that the WOT have given it up, in the last couple of years I know some seniors maybe won a game of bowling or a $10 gift certificate while juniors recieved 2 large gifts worth hundreds of dollars. I understand it shouldn't be about the gifts but the students aren't going to come if this continued. GOOD LUCK to both of you. "

Jeff wrote on Feb 9, 2010 11:11 AM:

" Good for you Geri and Paula, this is a very important event for high school kids, even though I no longer live in the SC district it doesn't change the importance of the after prom party. We do both after prom and after graduation parties were my son goes to school now, parents are responsible to pay for and volunteer at the events. The kids also do pay a fee to go, that is reasonable. Keep the event going, there is enough tragedy in the spring time with our kids, don't leave them to drink and such. "

question wrote on Feb 9, 2010 6:27 AM:

" Where can we send donations? "

you can do it wrote on Feb 9, 2010 6:23 AM:

" I have been involved in the post prom party. It is a very important event. It provides a safe alternative for the kids after the dance. There is bowling, prizes, and in the past few years a form of entertainment has been added to the event. (hypnotist, comedian). These two women are going to need help raising the funds to continue to provide this for the students of Stanley County. Lets get behind them and help them pull this off. Thanks Ladies for volunteering to keep this tradition alive. Thank you for all youdo. "

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