The Clermont County Drug Free Coalition has awarded $400 grants to seven county high schools for after prom activities.
The grants were presented during a coalition meeting on Tuesday, April 10, at the Clermont County Administration Building in Batavia.
“The after prom grants help provide a safe, controlled, fun environment for young people,” said Jimmi McIntosh with the Coalition for a Drug Free Clermont County. “The after proms are designed to minimize the number of unsupervised parties that happen, where underage drinking can occur.”
The seven high schools receiving grants for after prom are Amelia, Batavia, Felicity-Franklin, Glen Este, Milford, New Richmond, and Williamsburg. “We do everything possible to help the kids have a lot of fun in a safe place,” said Glen Este after prom volunteer Lynette Beach. “The after prom at the Beechmont Racquet Club will include inflatable slides, music, a rock climbing wall, photo booth, and toilet races.”
“Being with friends and having fun all night is why after proms are so popular,” said Amelia senior Alanna Whited. “Ours will feature a temporary tattoo artist, a mechanical bull, even an obstacle course.”
“Every year more kids attend the after prom,” added New Richmond junior Kylie Phillips. “Parents don’t have to worry, because we are locked in and they are notified before we can leave.”
“The majority of kids don’t drink and take drugs,” said Heidi Nykolayko with the Coalition for a Drug Free Clermont County. “These after proms are another way for young people to say no to drugs.”
The grants are provided by the Clermont County Mental Health and Recovery Board. Each year schools can apply for the grants to help them fund after-prom events.
“A lot of kids who come to the after prom don’t even attend prom,” said Felicity-Franklin junior Rickelle Belt. “This year we have a carnival theme, with lots of games in booths like you’d see at the county fair.”
Felicity-Franklin teacher Cathy Howes said every school needs an after-prom.
“It takes the pressure off kids to attend home parties, where drinking could be involved,” she said.