Safe + Sober Grad Nite Will Celebrate 187 SYVUHS Graduating Seniors EDUCATION

dition, parents, friends, and the community will come together to produce an all-night extravaganza for the graduates of Santa Ynez High School following their commencement earlier in the day.

All-night extravaganza scheduled for June 1, after school's commencement ceremony is year, Santa Ynez Valley Union High School will hold a Safe + Sober Grad Nite celebration for the Class of 2023 on ursday, June 1, 2023. Carrying on a 22-year tra-

After a remarkably challenging four years, the Safe + Sober Grad Nite tradition provides our local graduates a well-earned celebration with their classmates before they head o into the world.

For the parents and the community, this event ensures that the 187 graduating seniors have an event that is safe, sober, legal, supervised, and drug-free, alcohol-free, and smoke-free. Statistics have shown that students celebrating on the evening of graduation can experience one of the most dangerous nights of their young lives. e Safe + Sober Grad Night goal is to save lives by providing a safe and sober graduation celebration. For example, according to M.A.D.D. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving), “about a quarter of car crashes with teens involve an underage drinking driver.” (www.madd.org/ statistics)

As a community, we all have an interest in seeing these young people safely launched into adulthood to pursue their goals and contribute back to their community.

“ e Class of 2023 has had unique challenges during their high school careers," said SYVUHS Principal Michael Nieho . " ey were ninth-graders when the COVID pandemic initially interrupted their regular academic program. is year’s seniors have had their high school experience impacted the most. One of the biggest priorities we’ve had this year is to make sure their senior year is their biggest and best year yet. is includes having an amazing graduation, as well as an outstanding Safe + Sober Grad Night.” is year’s Safe + Sober Grad Night event is titled “ e Last Voyage” and will feature pirate-themed carnival games, rides, entertainers, music, food trucks, and many more surprises.

“We are trying to do things a bit di erently this year and allow for local businesses or families to sponsor speci c areas, rides or attractions that will make this event a success," said Heather Saarloos, the co-chair of the event. "We will post a sign or banner at each attraction to acknowledge who made this experience possible along with posts to our social media platforms as well as thank you banner ads on our brand-new website. is will allow our graduating seniors to see, feel and appreciate the love and support from this very special community. Hopefully they will carry that sense of community forward as they embark on their next chapter.” e other co-chair, Val Allen, said “ is event is 100 percent donation-funded. We are seeking the community’s support to make this time-honored tradition a reality. We are one town, one team. And we need the community’s donations in order to make this event happen.”

Historically, many local businesses, community organizations and generous individuals have contributed to make this a truly memorable night for the graduates. Any businesses, organizations or individuals that would be willing to help in some way are invited to contact the committee via our website at www.syhsgradnite.com.