CASINO LIGHTS & PROM NIGHTS. After the last photo was snapped and the last dance wrapped up, students weren't ready to call it a night, and luckily they didn't have too. From midnight to 4 a.m., the fun kept going with a casino themed after prom at the Waterville Grade School. Students played card games and jumped into fast pace rounds of 9-square. When everyone got hungry, the Fire and Ice food truck was waiting to serve everyone and keep them fueled up throughout the night. The Amazing Arthur Fratelli hypnotist was the night's entertainer, who kept the crowd going with an unforgettable show that had students, and even a few volunteers laughing non-stop.
Lila Swearingen and Tony Yungeberg organized the evening; they started preparations in May of 2024 to make sure they could secure an entertainer. In the fall they discussed the theme, games and activities they should have, and what everything will look like. In February, with the help of Nikki Stoudt, they sent out donation letters to businesses in the area and community members. This year they had over 50 donors for the event!
When asking Tony Yungeberg what the setup process looked like for after prom, he said “We message parents and try to get as many volunteers as possible to make everything come together and get everything done in a timely manner. Nikki and Lila stuffed the gift bags with shirts and other little trinkets for the kids to get as they arrive and get signed in. This year we were able to use the gym after lunch and begin getting things laid out with the help of Coach Cox and Mrs. deBoer. This allowed us to get wrapped up with all of the major decoration and prep work by 7 Friday evening. Saturday morning I spent a few hours putting the finishing touches on different areas to be ready to go when students came walking in the door.”
To go along with the casino theme, the music room was the casino room with Roulette, Black Jack and Texas Hold-em. There was a prize table that winners were able to choose from, on that prize table there was candy, popcorn, poker chip keychains, and light keychains. In the library students could play Z-tag, a laser tag game that uses wristbands and works as the participants get close to their opponent. They played Red light Green light, Zombie Survival, Keep Away, and Rock Paper Scissors.
When asking Tony Yungeberg who organizes all the gifts he said “Lila and I organize all of the gifts for the Seniors and Juniors to make sure they all go home with something. This year Gunn’s Disposal also donated a portable power bank for every Senior to go along with their drawing prize. Some prizes that were there to choose from were a T.V., mini fridge, microwave, gas cards, earbuds, chairs, luggage and games.”
This year's after prom was a huge success and it wouldn't be possible without the help from the community and the Junior and Senior classes. Everyone and their dates had a great time! A huge thank you to those that volunteered to make it a safe and enjoyable night for their students. Mrs. Yungeberg deserves a lot of thanks for all the little things she does to help out and a giant thank you to Lila Swearingen for all of the extra work and time that she put into making this event so successful!
Article by Tayra L’Ecuyer