Seniors in the know party at the school on grad night

By Jason Baker

The best graduation party in the works this year for Los Gatos High School seniors is probably the one everyone knows the least about.

The details of Grad Night are as hush-hush as any surprise party could be. But Leslie McGilvray, Los Gatos parent and spokeswoman for this year's gala, said seniors should prepare for a real night to remember.

In the planning since last spring, parents have worked tirelessly to ensure a fantastic evening for their graduates. And with a budget of $30,000, McGilvray promised the evening will be nothing short of spectacular.

"The entire town really bends over backward to donate to this event," she said.

The night begins at 10:30 p.m. Friday, June 11, following commencement exercises earlier that day. Seniors check in through a theme entrance on the high school campus, which will be transformed into party central by hard-working parents and volunteers. Students are ushered into a paradise of activities, including an area with 100 tons of sand brought in to create a beach volleyball court and bonfire area and casino tables to rival those of any Vegas resort.

"Many parents of seniors take off work during the week before graduation and concentrate on building the sets that transform LGHS into a fantasy theme park-like setting," McGilvray said. "The response from the kids is 'This is awesome. I can't believe my parents did this for me.'"

Another tradition of Grad Night is the absence of alcohol and drugs. That's probably the true motivation behind all the time and money invested in the once-a-year blowout. Parents hope to ensure their kids are safe on the big night, but know that attracting the graduates requires something spectacular. The party is staffed by parents and other volunteers, many of whom have spent hundreds of hours working on given tasks.

The strategy works well, as attendance has been almost 100 percent for the past 11 years. McGilvray said planners expect almost all of LGHS's 311 seniors to attend this year. The cost for each student is $90, with scholarships donated by CASA and individual parents for those who need financial assistance.

Once graduates arrive, they are not allowed to leave unless signed out by a parent, or are a legal adult. A fence around the party helps enforce that rule. The party runs through 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning.

Those in the community hoping to find out what all the secrecy is about are invited to a Open House from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. following graduation.

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