Next to graduation, the most exciting event left for Carson High School seniors is the prom. Josh Herrera, 17, wants to make sure it's also safe.
"Prom is a big, big deal," he said. "It's one of the highlights of senior year for most people. I don't want to see it ruined by drunk driving or some sort of alcohol poisoning."
As part of his senior project, Herrera is organizing a sober party for students to attend after the big dance.
"A lot of people go up to Tahoe or wherever and get a condo and drink," he explained. "Then they get in their cars and drive home."
He wants to give students an alternative.
"If they have an enclosed area where there's no alcohol and fun stuff to do, they'll be a lot safer, I believe," he said. "If I didn't do this and something happened, I would feel really bad."
Herrera chose to focus on underage drinking for his senior project because of the effects he's witnessed.
"I've seen a lot of my friends get in trouble with that," he explained. "I also saw some of my brother's friends become alcoholics. That was sort of their downfall."
Each Carson High School senior must complete a three-part project which includes a research paper, an organized project and a public presentation of both.
Herrera's research paper focused on underage drinking where he quoted Sora Song's "The High Cost of Teen Drinking" that one-third of all high school seniors admitted to having five drinks in a row within a two-week period.
"It's a serious issue," he said. "It leads to future health problems and to alcoholism and violence."
Herrera expects he will have to raise about $3,300 to plan and host the party. He hopes to find local bands for entertainment and activities such as video games with plenty of food and drink.
"It will work if I put out the right advertising for it and target the right crowd," he said. "I need to have things there they'll want to stay for."
He is also looking for a warehouse or similar-type building to host the party for between 200 to 300 guests.
In addition to keeping students safe on prom night, he wants to send a larger message.
"I don't think you need alcohol to have a good time," he said.
To donate supplies or money for the sober prom party, e-mail Josh Herrera at tonydanza@myrealbox.com.
Contact Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or at 881-1272.
