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Published on 06/05/1995 All articles from this issue

Los Altos High School Grad Nite this Friday

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Parents at Los Altos High School will recognize their seniors with a post-graduation "Grad Nite" party on Friday. Grad Nite has been a tradition at Los Altos High School for the past thirty-five years, ever since a student was killed in an automobile accident the night of graduation.

Los Altos was one of the first high schools in the area to provide an alcohol-and-drug-free party.

Some 100 parents have collectively put in more than 6,000 hours to transform the school quad and cafeteria into a fantasyland.

Planning began in November. Since April parents have been working 14 hours a day for 7 days a week at the former Los Altos Stationers. A half dozen to 15 persons at a time constructed and painted decorations. At the same time people worked off-site after hours and a week-ends on special projects. Keeping the celebration on campus requires more parents hours but also keeps the bid price one of the lowest in the area.

This year the theme was designed by Joe Mocelin who also designed the set for Back to the Future in 1991. To build the excitement, the theme is a secret until the day of graduation.

The graduates are provided with dinner, breakfast, desserts, snacks and a coffee house. Twelve booths will feature a casino, dancing, videos, palm reading, games, etc. The entire effort is supported by community businesses and merchants who provide prizes and raffle gifts as well as publicity and construction materials. The parents man the booths until 5 a.m. Saturday.

It gives the parents a real chance to share the excitement of graduation with their kids and to start them off on their next adventure in a safe, fun-filled and memorable way. After the parents of one unidentified senior had worked all night and had finally crawled into bed, their graduate ran into the bedroom announcing, "This was the best night of my life!"

The community is invited to preview the 1995 Grad Nite party on Friday at Los Altos High School, 201 Almond Ave., Los Altos. Doors will open for public viewing from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to attend.

For more information, call 941-3633.