Scene from a previous Senior Appreciation Night activity at Ashley Pond Park. Courtesy photo

YMCA News:

Planning meetings for the 2020 Senior Appreciation Night (SAN) high school graduation event begins at 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 13 in the Walkup Aquatic Center Training Room.

SAN began in 1984 as an alternative celebration for graduates who often took to partying in the mountains on graduation night.

A surge of underage drinking and driving in the early 1980’s left our community dealing with a disturbing trend of post-celebration accidents resulting in severe injuries and the loss of several young lives. To keep teens safe, then acting Chief of Police Gary Bequette rallied the community to create a night of fun for graduating seniors.

SAN events are scheduled 6 p.m. Saturday, May 30 through 4 p.m. Sunday, May 31 for graduating Los Alamos High School and Home-Schooled graduating seniors and a guest.

Individuals and volunteers interested in helping to plan a safe, fun-filled, drug free, all-night celebration invited to attend the SAN Planning meetings or sign-up to volunteer during the events.

SAN is a co-operative effort between parent and community volunteers, the Los Alamos County Parks and Recreation Division, The Family YMCA, and approximately 40 other community business and service organizations.

For additional information, or to sign-up to volunteer, contact The Family YMCA at 505.662.3100, the Recreation Division at 505.662.8170 or email lacrec@lacnm.us.