Volunteer of the Month: Parent Volunteers Organize NHS's First Ever After-Prom Party

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By Hayley Gable

While Northeast High has traditionally hosted a prom each spring for its graduating seniors, an “after-prom party” is an event the school has never before organized in its 47-year history. Last fall, however, a trio of Northeast parent volunteers – Terri Smith, Jackie Olsen and Joann Degreenia - stepped up to make the event happen.

“These parties have been a tremendous success at other schools in the county, and we would like to start this tradition at Northeast,” said Terri Smith, whose son Nick is a part of the senior class.

After-Prom Parties are typically meant to serve as an alternative celebration that keeps the students in a safe and fun environment after the dance is over. At Northeast, there are 278 students in the class of 2011, and from that number, Smith, Olsen and Degreenia counted approximately 150 in attendance at the After Prom Party.

Smith, who resides in Rock Creek Landing, along with Degreenia, who resides in Rock Hill, and Olsen, who lives in Greenland Beach, are each parents of seniors who will graduate this spring. The three women stepped up to handle the job of planning and organizing the event last November after being asked by Principal Kathryn Kubic.

Immediately, the group of women went to work organizing the event. They arranged several fundraisers, reached out to local vendors for donations, sold ‘senior posters’, and worked tirelessly to promote the party throughout the school.

“When we refer to a school, we are not actually referring to a building, but the people in it who make the difference. We are so fortunate to have these women as part of our Northeast High School family. They dedicated numerous hours to organizing our school’s first post-prom party, which surely provided a fun and safe alternative for our seniors,” said Principal Kubic.

On May 14, Northeast held their prom at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore and afterwards put on a rockin’ “Night At The Oscars”-themed post-prom celebration in the Northeast High cafeteria.

The night included music, dancing, games, door prizes, food and refreshments, all in a safe environment which remained free of drugs and alcohol.

“As a volunteer firefighter, I oversee the volunteer fire service for our county and this time of year is one of the highest times for drinking and driving,” noted Jackie Olsen.

Through their efforts in organizing the post-prom event and raising all the funds to support it, the women pledged their dedication to providing a safe environment for the students. “Safety is always a priority when big events like this occur. We wanted to get everyone together while also making sure the kids were safe. The event did exactly that,” said Joann Degreenia, who also volunteers much of her time with the Northeast PTSO and Athletic Boosters.

“The best part of being on this committee was forming all the wonderful friendships. Additionally, we have formed the foundation for future classes to build upon, and that’s something to be proud of,” said Olson.

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