4/23/09
Española Valley High School students will have a safe and sober place to relax Saturday after they dance the night away at prom.
Rio Arriba County DWI prevention program officials gave students gift certificates Monday for manicures, hair cuts and floral arrangements as enticements for the students to attend an alcohol- and drug-free post-prom party at the Dream Catcher Theater.
County DWI Prevention Specialist Thedra Martinez said the event will begin immediately after the prom. Students will have between 11:35 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. to show up to the theater before the doors are locked. Once inside, Martinez said students will receive refreshments and the theater will show two movies: “Fighting” and “17 Again.”
Students in attendance will be eligible to win I-Pods, a lap-top computer, a DVD player, a gym pass and gift certificates. Martinez also said freelance photographer Luanna Cordova would be shooting and framing photos for students free of charge.
Española senior Monica Herrera said she would go to the event because she does not drink.
“I guess me and a couple of friends are going,” Herrera said. “I heard they’re giving away free stuff. I’m looking forward to the movie.”
When asked if Herrera felt this type of event truly kept students from drinking and driving, she shrugged her shoulders and said most of the youths whom she knows who drink and drive do not attend the high school.
Martinez said event volunteers will be at the prom handing out 250 invitations and stamping students on the arm who intend to show up to the theater. Martinez said the purpose of the stamps is to verify the students were actually at the prom and not just trying to catch a free movie.
Martinez also said State Police will be at the event to administer Breathalyzer tests and to check students for alcohol or drugs. If a student is caught with alcohol on their breath, Martinez said the police will call their parents and hold an educational session with the parents and the student about alcohol.
Martinez said the County paid the Dream Catcher $1,200 to host the event. She said $600 went toward movie tickets and another $600 was for the soda and popcorn. Martinez said some people have told her preventing DWI accidents is a difficult endeavor in the Valley.
“Many people tell us it’s an uphill battle,” Martinez said. “We’re not getting discouraged.”
For more information about the post-prom party, call 747-1418.