GRADUATION PARTIES PROVIDE HAVEN OF SAFETY

Only a few area schools are conducting post-graduation parties, but they have the right idea.

Central High School in Cape Girardeau will have its party beginning at 10:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Francis Universal Health and Fitness.

The ticket price of $15 is a bargain for a T-shirt, unlimited food and games and chances to win door prizes that can be put to good use at college.

And the ticket includes a comfortable cushion of safety and responsibility that could very well save lives.

How much is that worth?

The majority of the students from Perryville High School and St. Vincent's High School in Perryville purchased $20 tickets for a similar event Friday night.

The schools work together to keep the ticket price down, and an adult organizer said the party minimizes the rivalry between schools.

Other area schools had different parties for seniors.

Notre Dame Regional High School sponsored a post-prom party because administrators there feel prom night poses more risks to students.

Jackson students chose to have a lock-in three weeks prior to graduation.

A Jackson High School counselor said any such party sends the message that students can have safe celebrations. She is correct. But post-graduation parties seem especially appropriate this time of year.

A student's realization that he or she is free from the perceived shackles of school work can be a strong incentive to engage in so-called adult behavior, including drinking alcoholic beverages reserved for the over-21 set and then driving.

That temptation is combined with strong emotions that go along with high school graduation, which symbolizes for most high school seniors the closure of one of life's chapters. It can be difficult to face moving on to college or full-time employment without old friends and parents in constant contact.

So a student not attending a chaperoned, school-sponsored party after graduation should be diverted into another safe environment.

Why not spend the evening with relatives in town for the happy occasion? If that is too slow-paced, parents can have their own parties for their graduating children and friends.

The temptations are out there. It would be a tragedy for a student to perpetually link graduation night with the death of a friend or the loss of mobility due to a drunken driving accident.