This is the poster for the 2008 Grad Night.

Grad Night is an investment in memories
Sabrina Ziegler | 4/9/08 | News

Every year neighbors Disneyland and California Adventure park become the hosts of an all-night senior invasion, opening its gates to a chaotic combination of bands and graduating youth from across the state-who come with a mission: to live up the last moments with their classmates and leave from high school with a lifelong memory.

The Granite Hills class of 2008 is scheduled to take part in the nocturnal phenomenon from 9:30 p.m. June 5 to 6:00 a.m. June 6.  There will be a senior brunch and graduation ceremony, later that evening. The marathon of senior activity is being offered to all graduating seniors, under class advisor Elisa Lombardi.

The total cost of the trip is $130 for each student attending. This includes the $88 ticket and $42 transportation fee. The ticket admits a student to California Adventure Park and Disneyland, and includes a free meal.

Four charter buses have been reserved for the date. However, Lombardi feels only three buses, at most, will fill with students.

“There’s going to be a critical number of students [attending],” Lombardi said.

Depending on how filled the last bus is, a decision will be made as to whether those students will be taken or left behind. For example, if the last bus -which seats about 45 students- is filled with only 10 students, then the bus will not be taken that day.

“The senior class doesn’t have that money. So, if students really want to go, they need to get on the stake and secure a spot,” Lombardi said.
  
For those who feel money is an issue, an alternative option is available to forking out all $130. The senior class will be having its last car wash on Saturday, April 19, from 10:00a.m. to 1:00p.m., in the bus loading zone. Students may both, participate in the car wash and/or sell pre-sale tickets, which can be picked up in Lombardi’s classroom.

Lombardi predicts a lot more students will show up to the final car wash, than have shown up at the previous ones. Now that Grad Night is coming closer, more students are jumping on the ball and selling tickets.

“A lot of kids, now, want to pay that $130, but the only way you can get money now, is if you sell car wash tickets,” Lombardi said.

Janet Kisling was the advisor for the class of 2007. Rather than fundraising, those seniors decided to make the trip cost less by going to just Disneyland.

“I think it’s great that they’re doing fundraising this year. It’s phenomenal,” Kisling said.

Planning for the trip, she said, consumed a great amount of her time.

“It’s a lot of hours, a lot of planning. It’s tough to get someone who wants to do it. But, for me it’s worth it. You get to know the kids on a different level,” Kisling said.

In addition, she feels that making trips and providing students with opportunities for fun is just as important as the academic aspect of their high school career.

“In a day and age when there’s so much testing, we have got to do something for you guys,” Kisling said.

Kisling described Grad Night when she took the Class of 2007.

“[There were] gazillions of people. You’re not going to ride rides, per say, [because the lines are too long]. It’s basically your last chance to spend time with your friends. It’s the ambience. It’s just the amazing thing that you’re there with nothing but your senior class.”

Kisling stood in line for 45 minutes to buy a “Class of 2007” t-shirt, she said. Most of the lines were just as long or longer. The souvenir shops are stocked on class items that night. Kisling, who graduated from Porterville High School, still keeps her Winnie the Pooh “class of 1980” stuffed animal.

“I think that that’s important about Grad Night and prom, is the memories,” Kisling said. “I still remember my Grad Night. Lots of tears will come at graduation.”

“It’s so fun because [Disneyland] cater[s] just to seniors that are graduating, [that night]. They have all these bands and kids dancing like crazy. It’s so cool,” Lombardi said.

A strict dress code will be enforced, along with rules about what seniors may or may not bring in. Clothing containing any school, sports or club logo may not be worn, along with any torn or revealing garments. Hats and studded accessories are included. No, food water, containers or bags larger than 8-½” x 11” may be taken in. The rules are to ensure that the night is as safe and problem-free as possible.

Students interested in signing up should do so before May 1. If, after May 1, seats still remain, the event will be advertised to encourage more to fill up the last bus. However, those who sign up sooner will have the advantage of a secure seat over those who do so later.