Re: Disappointed by grad celebration, Letters (June 20)
As a parent of a 2012 Hope Secondary School graduate, I felt compelled to write a letter in response to the concerns over the prom taking place out of Hope.
First of all, the grads and their parents greatly appreciate the financial and moral support they’ve received from the community of Hope.
They say it takes a village to raise a child and Hope is no exception. So having said that, the debate that took place over the choice of venue was not an easy one. Options for holding the prom, dinner and dance were far and few between. A venue to hold close to 400 people in Hope is almost nonexistent.
The only three options are the high school gym, curling rink, and the arena. Had one of these venues been selected, we now have the problem of decorating, catering, music and security. There are no stores in town that you are able to buy enough decorations to turn these plain venues into a magical prom experience for our kids.
There are no businesses that are able to cater a formal dinner for 400 people, which would include supplying 400 sets of plates, cutlery, glasses, and linens along with seating. After the dinner there is dancing, upon researching DJ’s in Hope we found none listed. By holding the prom in Harrison, we also solved the problem of having uninvited local teens showing up.
As unfortunate as it is, the lack of businesses in Hope are not able to provide our kids with the type of prom that we feel they deserve. All of the grads also needed to shop out of town for their tuxedos and dresses. At some point in time, all of these businesses existed in Hope.
The businesses in Hope are fantastic at supporting any group or cause that comes their way and go above and beyond what is requested of them.
Perhaps instead of directing your concerns at the grads, parents and school, we should all be responsible to ensure that our town has the type of businesses that we can all support for whatever event or function happens in our lives.
I would also like to add that Harrison Hot Springs is included in the Fraser-Cascade school district.
Pauline Svensrud