Sober Graduation is an annual on-campus event that encourages senior students to remain sober at all graduation ceremonies and celebration parties. Usually held late in April or early in May, Sober Graduation typically consists of a small performance, skit, or act that reminds students of the dangers and consequences of under-aged drinking.
This school year, Sober Graduation was simply a short student-made video where students acted out the potential dangers of drinking alcohol before graduation, which was shown to students during the Senior Pledge assembly. There was no larger event or performance due to a lack of proper funding and organization from the police department, according to Principal Kenneth Schlaff.
“Sober Graduation is funded by the cops,” Schlaff said. “It doesn’t happen every year. The short video was just a little reminder for our students not to do anything they might regret.” It has been years without the police organizing a Sober Graduation performance, Schlaff said.
Even though this year’s Sober Graduation was only a short video, Schlaff insists that it will have the same effect as any other Sober Graduation performance. There hasn’t been much of a difference in the drinking rate of students for the past few years, despite different Sober Graduation performances, he indicated.
Although students can decide for themselves whether or not they want to indulge in alcohol, it is my responsibility to make sure they are safe, Schlaff said. “It might make the difference between thinking twice and making a decision they will regret,” Schlaff said. “If it saves a life, it’s worth it.”
MHS teacher Paul Cao supports Sober Graduation and believes that it is helpful in reminding students to stay safe. Any positive impact on a student’s judgment – even a small one, is good, Cao said.
“Sober Graduation is not a waste of time,” Cao said. “These students are about to enter the world begin their lives. Helping them make better decisions is important.”
Cao believes that the students themselves are ultimately responsible for their own actions, but also believes that it is the school’s responsibility to give students proper support. Schools are here to support their students, Cao said.
“They are here for more than just academics,” Cao said. “When a student is under stress or is having a hard time with life issues, it is their school’s responsibility to support that student and make sure that he/she is doing the right thing.”
Sober Graduation is an annual on-campus event that encourages senior students to remain sober at all graduation ceremonies and celebration parties. Usually held late in April or early in May, Sober Graduation typically consists of a small performance, skit, or act that reminds students of the dangers and consequences of under-aged drinking.
This school year, Sober Graduation was simply a short student-made video where students acted out the potential dangers of drinking alcohol before graduation, which was shown to students during the Senior Pledge assembly. There was no larger event or performance due to a lack of proper funding and organization from the police department, according to Principal Kenneth Schlaff.
“Sober Graduation is funded by the cops,” Schlaff said. “It doesn’t happen every year. The short video was just a little reminder for our students not to do anything they might regret.” It has been years without the police organizing a Sober Graduation performance, Schlaff said.
Even though this year’s Sober Graduation was only a short video, Schlaff insists that it will have the same effect as any other Sober Graduation performance. There hasn’t been much of a difference in the drinking rate of students for the past few years, despite different Sober Graduation performances, he indicated.
Although students can decide for themselves whether or not they want to indulge in alcohol, it is my responsibility to make sure they are safe, Schlaff said. “It might make the difference between thinking twice and making a decision they will regret,” Schlaff said. “If it saves a life, it’s worth it.”
MHS teacher Paul Cao supports Sober Graduation and believes that it is helpful in reminding students to stay safe. Any positive impact on a student’s judgment – even a small one, is good, Cao said.
“Sober Graduation is not a waste of time,” Cao said. “These students are about to enter the world begin their lives. Helping them make better decisions is important.”
Cao believes that the students themselves are ultimately responsible for their own actions, but also believes that it is the school’s responsibility to give students proper support. Schools are here to support their students, Cao said.
“They are here for more than just academics,” Cao said. “When a student is under stress or is having a hard time with life issues, it is their school’s responsibility to support that student and make sure that he/she is doing the right thing.”
