In just a couple of days, the Class of 2017 at Escalon High School will move their tassels, toss their caps … and then get ready for a night full of fun and memory-making at their Sober Grad celebration.

Hosted specifically for graduates, the event is scheduled for Friday, June 2 and this year will be staged in the high school’s Performing Arts Center and cafeteria, due to ongoing renovation work at the main gym, where it has been held in past years. The tennis courts will still be utilized for a variety of activities including the popular inflatables area.

Co-coordinator Debbie Leal said volunteers have stepped up and the majority of shifts are covered for the event, with the exception of needing more freehand artists to work in the Henna tattoo booth area for graduates.

Volunteers on the first shift greet students arriving for the all-night party at 10 p.m.; festivities continue until about 4 a.m. and once students arrive, they stay for the entire event. Volunteers typically work one of the two shifts; some stay all night to assist with the event.

“All I really need at this point are waters and Gatorades,” Leal said of supplies needed for the food table.

The smaller size bottles are preferred, she said, and the Sober Grad committee can also accept cash to go purchase the needed items.

“We also do need some $5 and $10 gift cards to anywhere to use as prizes for the kids,” she added, “or cash for us to use to buy them.”

Leal said while committee members were concerned this year about how the event would be staged in light of the construction at the gym, she has been pleasantly surprised with how smoothly things have gone.

“I met with the construction supervisor from C.T. Brayton, they’ve been great to deal with and the school has been really supportive, Mr. Simoni, the principal, has been fantastic in working with us,” Leal said.

She also gave a special shout out to head custodian Kelly Kellett at EHS for her work and efforts on behalf of the committee.

“She is so good at what she does,” noted Leal.

There are about 215 students in the Class of 2017 and the goal is to get as many of them to attend the Sober Grad party as possible, providing them with a safe, fun, festive environment to share their final night as Cougars.

“We have lots of great prizes and everyone goes home with something,” Leal said.

Some of the items available this year include a drone and a bicycle, along with cash prizes and other items.

Casino games, music, video games, inflatables, Boxer Bingo, food and more are all featured as part of the overnight festivities.

Cost to attend is $40 in advance and tickets are $45 at the door the night of the event. Seniors must also have a signed parental consent form to attend.

“This last week is when we will sell the most tickets,” Leal said.

Decorating for the graduation night party will also be done this week, getting things ready for the fun event.

“We just hope we get a lot of kids there, and that they have fun,” Leal said.

For more information or to arrange to make donations or volunteer your time, contact Leal at 209-639-2513 or Tammy Alcantor at 209-480-3728.