Donations sought for NHS After Prom activities

Nevada Daily Mail

Nevada High School's After Prom Committee is soliciting donations for its upcoming activity.

The NHS prom this year is April 26.

"We currently have $2,000 in the bank after expenses are paid," noted one of the organizers, Jennifer Shepherd.

"Last year, we gave out $3,600 worth of prizes at the breakfast and still had some to leave in the bank for the next group.

"We're about $1,600 down from where we have been at this time in years past. There has been a small decline in prizes the last couple of years," that Shepherd said her group is trying to reverse.

The Nevada After Prom activity began in the late 1970s, started by the Knights of Columbus. The Knights still do the "casino" every year for the activity, where the students play games and win prizes.

"After Prom provides an option free of poor choices for students following the dance," noted Shepherd, speaking of the importance of the event.

"We want to keep them away from alcohol, drugs, and partying, so we try to offer many different choices in a venue that is safe from those kinds of activities.

"The prizes are a reward for attending the events and staying all night."

Sign-in begins at 10:30 and continues until 2 a.m.

"This year we have our base camp at the YMCA, and there will be swimming, the casino, a photo booth with props, and an inflatable jousting ring there.

"The bowling alley and movie theater will be open also, from midnight-2 a.m. Following that, everyone meets back at the high school for the hypnotist at 2:30. After he finishes his show at 4, there's a breakfast and prizes are awarded at that time.

"We're mostly giving out cash prizes, but we'd like to put together a few baskets to mix it up a little bit.

"We're asking for any donations at all, whether they are monetary or product-based. These would be so, so helpful," concluded Shepherd.

Anyone wishing to help can contact Shepherd at 417-684-3573 or via email at thejenshepherd@live.com.