Help Our Students Have a Safe and Unforgettable Prom Night

By Kristin Van Scoy, MHS After Prom Chair

Mariemont High School Prom Night is just around the corner on April 21. With it comes some time-honored Village traditions, including students gathering at the Concourse for pre-dance photos and the Mariemont High School After Prom event.

This year, After Prom will once again take place at Main Event in West Chester, where over 200 attendees will enjoy laser tag, an indoor ropes course, arcade games, bowling, and pool and have a chance to win a wide array of raffle prizes. It is open to all juniors and seniors, regardless of whether they attend Prom.

After Prom was initiated decades ago by the Mariemont High School MADD Chapter for the purpose of providing our high school upper classmen and their dates with a safe, fun, and alcohol-free event immediately following Prom. Nationwide, prom night is considered one of the most dangerous nights of the year for high school students. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), one-third of all alcohol-related teen traffic fatalities occur during prom season, from April – June.

Since the Mariemont High School PTO took over management of After Prom from MADD, it has been a cost-neutral event. PTO funds are committed to projects that directly enhance the scholastic experience for our students and teachers, so After Prom is truly a communitywide effort to keep our kids - the kids who mow your lawn, babysit your kids, or make your food at local restaurants - safe on Prom night. Here’s how you can help:

Individual/Family Monetary Donation

Your tax-deductible, monetary donation helps offset the cost of After Prom so we can keep ticket prices low for our students and enable all kids to attend. Donated funds are also used to purchase raffle items, which generate buzz before the event and are a major attendance draw.

In-kind Donation

To meet attendees’ diverse interests, we want to offer a wide variety of fun and exciting raffle packages. We’re looking for in-kind donations of anything our juniors are seniors would enjoy or use. Here are some specific ideas:

• Event Tickets (sports, concerts and musical festivals, Broadway Series)

• Airline Miles

• TVs, headphones and speakers

• Salon and spa gift cards

• Retail gift cards (i.e. Rally House, Bed Bath & Beyond, Kenwood Towne Center),

• Restaurant gift cards

• Car wash and gas gift cards

Elite Corporate Sponsorship

Your business’s $200 donation will be publicly recognized via social media, communications to the Mariemont School District Community, and communications to high school parents.

To learn more or make a donation, scan the QR code published with this story. If you would like to make a corporate donation, please call Kristin Van Scoy at 513-604-6012. Thank you for participating in this community-wide effort to keep our kids safe on Prom Night!

Mariemont Celebrates Our Centennial While

“This is the best chance in our lifetimes to do something significant and meaningful for the Village”

Providing outdoor spaces for the health and enjoyment of the residents of Mariemont were always at the forefront of Mary Emery’s vision for her new town. To honor this rich heritage and as a prologue to the next century, the Village of Mariemont is upgrading the parks and green spaces to ensure that the residents of Mariemont and the surrounding community will continue to benefit from her legacy.

Centennial projects will focus on enhancing the health and wellness benefits of our parks and recreational areas. The projects will be designed to be multi-generational and contribute to the tradition as a walking community where residents can age in place. Major projects include:

The Rehabilitation of Dogwood Park

• The construction of a loop trail walking path around the perimeter of the park that would connect to the Whiskey Creek hiking trails

• The repositioning and rebuilding of the three baseball diamonds to provide for a green space and a clear vista to the Carillon Tower

• The installation of an arrival plaza

• The expansion of the parking to better accommodate universal access

• The installation of historical informational plaques on the history, mechanics, and operation of a carillon

• Planting of a dogwood grove on each end of the park

Update:

The Mariemont Centennial Committee along with the Village of Mariemont has selected The Kleingers Group to finalize the plans and provide construction drawings for the rehabilitation of Dogwood Park. A conceptual design (pictured above) was developed by Human Nature, and Kleingers will finalize the plan and provide construction documents.

The plan will evolve with community input including surveys and public meetings. The development of the plan will also be guided by the key stakeholders in the park, including the Thomas J Emery Memorial, The Preschool Parents Group, The Park Board, and the Mariemont Recreation Commission.

The Preservation of The Family Statuary Group and the Renovation of Dale Park

• Cleaning and repairs to the Family Statuary and supporting structures

• The construction of a shelter over the Family

Statuary Group to preserve the statuary from further damage

• Updates to the surrounding park and plantings to provide a more open and inviting environment

• The addition of informational plaques describing the vision, philanthropy, socioeconomic inclusion themes of Mary Emery

The Construction of an Amphitheater

• The semi-permanent amphitheater would include a stage and utility spaces.

• Seating to be constructed on the hillside surrounding the park

• We anticipate that the amphitheater would be used by area schools and preforming arts organizations

The Rehabilitation of Hopkins Park

• Hopkins Park is located across the street from the Mariemont Branch of the Cincinnati Public Library

• Provide screened outdoor spaces for storytelling, book walks, and other events.

• Construction of a gazebo

The Rehabilitation of The Village Square

• Repair of fountain pool

• Replacement of park benches

• Update of landscape plan and plantings

• Updated electrical service

Other Centennial projects and events include: updating gateway signage, rehabilitating 114 historic streetlights, commission of a Centennial painting by local artist Kate Albert, sale of a Centennial Flag designed by resident Tom Gilmore, and a variety of business, educational, and community events.

Projects Administered by the 501(c) (3) Mariemont Preservation Foundation. Matching gifts welcome. For additional information on Centennial projects as well as giving opportunities please scan the QR code below, visit ww.mariemontpreservation.org/ centennial, or reach out by email to: centennial@ mariemontpreservation.org

To keep informed of updates related to Centennial activities, please click on the links in the pop-up menu on the Village web site at www. mariemont.org.