The Senior Night celebration -- traditionally held the evening after graduation -- is returning this year with a new format that Co-Chair Sara Ader says "will blow the kids' minds!"
This special occasion -- which has some surprises in store -- provides one last opportunity for the graduating class to be together in one place at the same place and to keep them safe on graduation night.
The Class of 2022 has a fun-filled night of entertainment, food, non-alcoholic beverages, games, a photo booth, trips down memory lane, and more to look forward to on Saturday, June 4, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. inside Hingham High School.
"The focus is on making this a really worthwhile experience," Ader told the Hingham Anchor. "The kids will not believe what's in store for them when they show up at 9 p.m. "
The theme is kept secret until the graduates arrive for maximum effect. Different parts of the building will be open at different times for the students to be able to move around and experience various activities.
"There will be everything they need to have a blast!" Ader said.
This popular event is making a comeback following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, in a way Ader said will be easier to implement for the School Department, parents, volunteers, and others who have been involved in this effort. "The kids will be happiest of all!" Ader explained. "It's a real win-win."
Whereas for prior Senior Nights, parent volunteers worked on making decorations and other aspects of the celebration all year long prior to graduation, this year's preparations have been condensed into a shorter timespan with a different format, while still offering the seniors an evening to remember.
"We have found that our volunteer base isn't as big as it once was. People just don't have the hours these days," Ader said. In addition, "following the pandemic, we found that a number of vendors from previous events had gone out of business."
While the idea of changing the way the evening was organized was already being considered, Ader said planning the event post-pandemic was an opportunity to revamp Senior Night -- which has been a popular celebration with graduates for many years.
2019 HHS graduate Molly Schwall, currently finishing her junior year at University of Michigan, has high praises for Senior Night celebrations. "Graduation is overwhelming. I thought it worked out great to spend all day with family after the graduation ceremony and then go party safely with everyone in our class at Senior Night," she said.
"There were so many activities to run around to. Part of the fun was going with friends, but then losing them and finding them all night because we were all doing different activities," Molly recalled. "I spent a ton of time at the casino, and I loved getting my fortune read. The fortune teller talked to me about my grandma, and what she said was eerily accurate. The night ended with a hypnotist, and we all ended up laughing about that. It was incredible."
Molly called the event "a night not to be missed. People are still talking about what went on there. I have one friend who spent most of the night running around with a friend she didn't know that well, and that bonded them for life. They're still really close."
Although the hours have also been shortened from the earlier all-night format -- which were from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. -- the event will be packed with all kinds of fun activities to keep participating seniors busy and happy the entire time.
In the past, with the longer hours, a number of athletes had to leave the party early -- before it reached its climax -- because they were participating in championships the following day.
Another consideration, according to Ader, was that students are often "exhausted" from all the senior activities leading up to graduation, which now starts at 10 a.m. "This was a chance for a re-set, and we're excited about doing it differently this year," she said.
Seniors are invited to register online at https://hinghamhighseniors.myhalix.io/pages/home.registerforseniornight22, which includes all the details of the event and how to volunteer, make a donation, or contribute items or services.
Ader explained how she became involved with Senior Night. When her oldest child was first starting high school, she wanted to see what all the Senior Night "fuss" was about, so she decided to volunteer to chaperone at the event.
"I was hooked. This is such a fun event to be involved with because it's all about having a great time. My daughter (who was in the Class of 2019) is a bit shy, so she wasn't sure whether she wanted to go, but she was curious. I encouraged her to check it out and promised to give her permission to leave if she felt uncomfortable. Needless to say, she stayed until the end and had a blast!" Ader shared.
Senior Night 2022 Chairs besides Ader include Co-Chair Ellen Larkin; Business Manager Kate Croteau; volunteers, Cathy Hartman; food, Diane Jordan; and candy, Jen Deneen and Michelle Sullivan.Email hinghamseniornight@gmail.com with any questions.
Senior Night wouldn't be possible without the support of the Hingham fire and police departments, the School Department, volunteers, and sponsors -- including businesses, organizations, families, and individuals.
The custodial staff helps facilitate "what we need to make this happen, and we also have to get [the required] permits for the event," Ader said. "The fire and police departments are onboard, and there will be a strong police presence that night." The graduates will be administered breathalyzer tests before entering the venue.
"This will be a great night of bonding among class members, and they will have a wonderful last night together instead of celebrating on their own around town," Ader said. "They will be safe while having a good time."
Carpool and other plans will be in place to ensure that every graduate arrives home safely.
School Committee member Michelle Ayer, whose sons both graduated from HHS, chaperoned Senior Night for many years and said she is "thrilled to hear that this amazing class event is back this year. This is a truly special night for the graduates, and I can promise you it is not a night to be missed."
Ayer noted that not only is Senior Night designed to give kids a safe place to celebrate their graduation, but more importantly, it’s an event "that really connects the students to their fellow classmates. It is a night filled with laughter and smiles and happiness, and after the past two years of disruption to their time together as classmates, Senior Night 2022 will be a great way to bring the class together in a fun and meaningful way," she said.
While her sons and some of their friends were reluctant to sign up initially, they changed their minds and were glad that they did. "Five years later, it still remains one of Evan’s favorite high school memories," Ayer said.
Over the years, she noticed many kids walk into the event with some hesitation — but at the end of the night, Ayer saw those same kids lingering in the parking lot and making plans to meet up again, because they didn’t want their time together to end. "Encourage your kids to attend Senior Night," is her advice to parents and guardians. "It will give you peace of mind, and it will provide them with great memories of their time at HHS."
