THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 23, 1995 TAG: 9506230027
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOE MARINO, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
THE GRADUATE climbed into the Velcro suit. Several other former students helped fasten it securely to his body. Then he was off. Across the gym floor. Onto the air mat. Into the air.
``Look! It's the valedictorian!'' shouted one student, as Michael Maraghy hit the wall of the ``Velcro Jump'' and stuck to it. He was soon followed by several teachers and even a vice principal.
This was just one of the many events at the Bayside High School After-Graduation Party on June 16. Five hours after the class of 1995 was pronounced educated, many of its members went to Bayside Recreation Center for a night filled with swimming, eating, gambling, bowling and chances to win many expensive prizes.
The party was sponsored by Prom Promise, Nationwide Insurance's program designed to keep seniors away from drugs and alcohol at graduation time. Schools all over the area hosted similar parties. This one started at 11 p.m. on graduation night and ended at 6 in the morning.
The party was a lock-in. Once you were there, you stayed the whole time. If a student wanted to leave early, his or her parents were notified.
Most people stayed. There was so much to do.
A mock casino was set up in the gymnasium, along with the ``Velcro Jump,'' a putting green, a sumo wrestling mat and a dance floor.
There were four blackjack tables and a roulette wheel. Most students were given $4,000 in fake currency to play with. It would never pass for cash anywhere else - it was bright orange and adorned with pictures of Bayside Principal Mike Debranski and Vice Principal Gene Soltner.
All night long, students huddled around the tables, some watching, some winning, some losing. The money was supposed to be used in an auction of prizes at the conclusion of the party, but the plans were changed at the last minute. That didn't stop the action.
Bill Laing, a player at the roulette table, won $200,000 on a ``special game'' on one spin of the wheel. Michael Malubag ended up with a stack of blackjack chips 8 inches high. Joe Marino finished with $307,500 - all from roulette.
``After this, I should go to Vegas!'' Laing said as he placed a large bet on number 16. The ball ended up on number 36. ``Maybe not,'' he said.
Whichever way the ball bounced, the real winners were all who attended. Food was plentiful and free, donated by various local businesses. There were many prizes given away. Corey Glass won a portable CD player. Chris Williams won an expensive electric train set. Marc Ferrera won one of two new dinette sets. Gift bags were given to every student. Some contained hats or clothing. Some had food coupons. One bag contained $50 cash.
As the sun started to rise and everyone realized that the party was almost over, final goodbyes were said. Friends throughout the past four years made promises to keep in touch. Some people asked for rides home. Then one student asked the most thought-provoking question of the night:
``How am I going to get this dinette set home?'' ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Joe Marino is a 1995 graduate of Bayside High.
JOE MARINO
Bayside valedictorian Michael Maraghy tries the ``Velcro Jump'' at
an all-night graduation party.
by CNB