Spend local money on grads, not the facility

As parents of two SHS graduates, we’re appalled the traditional Grad Night festivities at the fairgrounds have been moved down to Coeur d’Alene.

Unlike the depiction in the front-page story (Daily Bee, Jan. 28), those among all the parents who worked numerous hours on Grad Night throughout the school year, we were pleased with the surprised looks on the faces as the seniors came into the themed event to find a multitude of activities, plus freshly prepared food, to keep them engaged throughout the night.We were also very pleased with these young adults, about 96 percent of whom stayed the entire night — not as misrepresented in the article “going off to outside parties” — thanking us for giving them such a send-off for graduation.  Those who left “early” had work commitments the next morning.

The Grad Night festivities are parental gifts for completion of 12 years of school, not paying $16,000 to an out-of-town facility with nothing left for usable college gifts. Prizes by drawings, with coupons won in events like the arcade games, etc., were timed every half hour throughout the night. One year a college-bound student who won a laptop had tears in her eyes because to her it was unaffordable. Another won enough cash to have her car repaired.

We also appreciate the many local merchants who traditionally support Grad Night. We are a community, and the event, monies and efforts should stay within the community.

CHRIS HASSLER

Sandpoint