Each year the annual Ocean City High School After Prom embraces a night of good friends, good food, and good fun., celebrating a milestone night together in a safe haven that promotes creating fabulous memories together- free of drugs and alcohol.
The After Prom Committee is a set of parents who are dedicated to keeping the Ocean City High School students FREE of temptation on a night that could potentially be one of life changing choices. Many years ago our school family lost two precious souls on a fall November night due to a drunk driver. Our community was shaken tremendously. Through this, parents made a commitment to helping keep other families from such a life altering experience. One of their efforts birthed the Ocean City High School After Prom. After 20 years, the program runs strong, as we can expect close to 700 students to attend.
Even our small, family oriented beach-town needs to be very aware of the battles our students face everyday. In a world of tempations a proactive approach from the parents, staff, and community to come together to protect our students is needed more than ever. As a community, this night shows how much we value our students, knowing full well the alternatives to celebrate are available.
Our monthly planning efforts began in October and have grown into biweekly planning events at the high school. Decorating, food planning, Minute to Win It games, Inflatables, DJ’s, Karaoke, photo booths, live entertainment, and thousands of dollars worth of prizes will keep the night going.
Our community invests a great amount of time, thought, and money into our After Prom. Individuals, businesses, and public officials donate through cash and other various gifts into making this event a reality for our children. We could certainly never provide this night without the support of the Ocean City High School community. We also depend on hundreds of volunteers as we transform the high school into a magical night. During a Spring Prom Assembly the After Prom is highlighted and encouraged by the Ocean City High School Administration and Staff. The theme was revealed, as well as the purpose behind the event. The students were informed of the importance of making the right decisions, promoting substance-free fun. They were reminded that the entire community is involved in advertising and supporting this event in various ways.
It is our hope the students see that there is value in creating this safe haven for them to be themselves as they engage in substance free fun and activities. And besides, the event is completely FREE to them!
The students will arrive by bus from the prom location beginning at 11:15 pm and stay until 4am. We are blessed to say that most of our students stay and enjoy the night from beginning to end, knowing that the big $1,000 prize is drawn as the night commences to a very tired, yet excited senior student from OCHS.
Throughout the night, hundreds of parent and community volunteers will celebrate our students as they enjoy the After Prom, having made the decision to stay sober and attend this all night party. All in all, the After Prom party creates the beautiful alternative to avoid the drugs and alcohol available to them everyday. Every. Single. Day. It is no secret that even in a small, quiet beach town like Ocean City, these substances exist, are available, and are being used by some of our student population. This night celebrates the good decision to choose what it best, in hopes the message of celebrating life without the need for drugs and alcohol lasts longer than Prom Night.
Bill and Amy Holmes
Charlie and Jennifer Bowman
Ocean City High School After Prom Coordinators
The pictures featured below show some of the fun that is available for the students after the prom:
