Although there are only 27 seniors at Smith Valley High School, the community considers graduation important enough to sponsor a grad night for them every year.
This will be the fifth year SVHS's grad night will be held, thanks to parents and school staff who host and chaperone the event, and community members who donate raffle prizes and money.
Shelly Vick is the school's program director and secretary, but she also has been a parent at grad night and will be again this year for an exchange student from Holland she has been "host mom" to all year.
"It's all community supported," Vick said. "Even though there are only 27 graduating seniors, it's still really important that the kids have a safe night. We try and make it nice. It is the last time the kids are together."
The all-nighter at one student's house includes raffles of things the students will need at college or out in the "real world," such as microwaves, TVs, refrigerators, bikes and luggage. Vick said they are still looking for raffle items.
All night the students play games, watch movies, play volleyball or just soak in the hot tub. Last year, Vick said, they rented inflatable sumo wrestling suits for some out-of-the-ordinary wrestling matches.
Vick said all the students come for at least part of the night - understanding it is a drug- and alcohol-free event - but the majority stay until breakfast is served in the morning.
"It's always student-oriented and the parents always help," she said.
To donate items for the raffle, call Vick at 465-2332 or 465-2216 or Luetta Mann at 465-2518.
