Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 18, 1991 TAG: 9104190293
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: AMY KERR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
She won the truck by staying until the end of William Byrd High School's after-prom party. Her name was one of four drawn at the party to go to the Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition Post Prom Grand Finale, where she joined students from other schools.
Each student in the Grand Finale was given a key. Vaden's key started the truck.
Post Prom Grand Finale is one of several programs that encourage high-school students in the Roanoke area to stay sober and safe on prom night. These programs have been gaining support from businesses and other groups the past three years.
Nationwide Insurance Co. is joining the efforts this year by sponsoring "Prom Promise," a program that encourages students to sign contracts pledging they will not use alcohol or drugs on their prom nights. Schools can compete for awards and cash prizes by writing a song or rap with an anti-alcohol and anti-drug theme, by coming up with a plan for spreading the Prom Promise message or by having the greatest number of students sign the Prom Promise contract.
Nine hundred schools in 11 states are participating in the program.
Thirteen Roanoke-area high schools are having after-prom parties. Most of the parties are coordinated by parent groups and have rules that students must be at the party by a certain time and cannot re-enter once they leave. Local businesses donate food and door prizes.
To be eligible for the Grand Finale, students must stay until the end of their school's party. Four students from each of the schools will be randomly chosen to attend the Grand Finale June 9 at Valley View Mall in Roanoke. One student will win an Isuzu pickup truck, donated again this year by Royal Buick/Isuzu in Salem. One student from each school will win a television or a videocassette recorder.
The Grand Finale in the Roanoke area also is sponsored by WDBJ-TV and WROV Radio.
The Virginia Department of Education gives cash prizes up to $1,000 for the "Best Party in Virginia." Last year, James River High School tied for third place, winning $250. The money will be used for this year's party.
Schools in the Roanoke area with after-prom parties include:
\ North Cross High School, which will have its prom April 26 at the City Market Building. There will be a breakfast, midnight-2 a.m., at the Second Presbyterian Church.
\ Salem High School, which will have its prom April 27 at the Salem Civic Center. The PTSA is sponsoring a party, with the theme of "Mirage at the Lodge," 12:30-4 a.m., at the Roanoke Moose Lodge. Plans include a disc jockey and a stand-up comedian.
\ Cave Spring High School, which will have its prom May 18 at the Roanoke Civic Center Exhibition Hall. The party will be at the old Mick-or-Mack grocery store on U.S. 221, midnight-4 a.m. Activities include a DJ, door prizes and games. It is sponsored by the PTSA.
\ Patrick Henry High School, which will have its prom June 1 at the Roanoke Airport Sheraton Inn. The after-prom party will be at the City Market Building, 12:30-4 a.m. Plans include a video jockey, two large-screen televisions and casino games. It is sponsored by the Patrick Henry After-Prom Party Committee, which is composed of parents.
\ Craig County High School, which will will have its prom May 4 at the Airport Holiday Inn. The prom party will be held from midnight-3:30 a.m. in the school's gymnasium. Plans include food, games and door prizes. Rockets Against Alcohol and Drugs is sponsoring the party.
\ Glenvar High School, which will have its prom May 11 at the Roanoke Airport Sheraton. Its party will be 12:30-4 a.m. at the Roanoke Moose Lodge. Plans include a DJ, videos, contests, food and door prizes. Students attending will get free T-shirts and cups. The theme is "Footloose at the Moose," and it is sponsored by the PTSA.
\ William Fleming High School, which will have its prom May 17 at Scarlett's Restaurant. The post-prom party will be midnight-5 a.m. at the National Guard Armory on Reserve Avenue. There will be a Monte Carlo theme with games, a tape of the prom shown on big-screen television and door prizes. It is sponsored by the PTSA and the Junior ROTC.
Other spring plans include: Roanoke Valley Christian Schools' junior-senior banquet May 10 at the Shenandoah Club; and Roanoke County Occupational School's spring dance May 31 in the school's gymnasium.
by CNB