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Grad Nite Live 2010
Theme: Cartoons
The Class of 2010 began lining up 20 minutes early to be the first to see the 2010 edition of Grad Nite Live. By all accounts they were not disappointed. The 14th edition of Grad Nite Live was an unqualified hit. We simply cannot say enough about all of the contributors and volunteers that continue to make Grad Nite Live what it is and has been. Grad Nite is a conglomeration of talent, time, cash, materials and logistics that come together as an extremely well executed plan that has become a truly cherished tradition and community effort in Marshfield.
This year’s theme was “cartoons” and as the grads entered through a giant TV and were treated to visions of The Flintstones, Peanuts, Jot, Popeye & Olive, Sponge Bob, Tom & Jerry, Looney Tunes, Rugrats, The Jetsons, Rocket Power, Winnie the Pooh, Kim Possible, Power Puff Girls, Doug, Scooby Doo and Ninja Turtles. Once again, we are staggered by the artistic talent of this community.
We clearly have to mention the Class of 2010. On a hot and humid “nite” they were an absolute pleasure to host. 87% of the graduating class participated in the event. 100% of them passed the alcohol test. They were appreciative, pleasant and polite. They had so much fun and they were so much fun to be with. The Class of 2010 showed how much they have grown over the years and made the mature and smart decision to avoid alcohol and attend Grad Nite Live. As a senior parent myself, I was proud to be associated with you and you did yourselves proud all “nite” long.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to Rob Nerger and the Foster Lumber crew who for the 13th straight year were on hand to help with construction and who allow us to store all of the GNL “stuff” at their facility. Jack and Tom Cullen of Cullen Electric were there for the 13th year as well; essentially re-wiring the back portion of the High School to accommodate the lighting and power needs of the event. Virtually every restaurant in town contributed food for the evening and trust us, there was very little left over. Food Chairs Dottie Pisano and Christine Mulligan coordinate that effort. Remarkable!
We also need to thank John Good and J.N. Muldoon Trucking, BuyTheCase.Net, Pam and Dave Snell of American Computer Technologies, Captain Phil Tavares of the Marshfield Police and Chief Kevin Robinson of the Fire Department, Plymouth County DA Tim Cruz, Roche Bros Supermarkets, 2 Thumbs Up, Haddad’s Ocean Café, Family Crest Catering, State Rep Jim Cantwell with Selectman John Hall, as well as the Molly Fund for in-kind and cash contributions. Special Thanks to MHS Band Director, Scott Brenner and his group, “Unkempt & Uncool”, for providing a Grad Nite first of live music. They’ll love you when they get to college!
Raising the $25,000 necessary to fund GNL is difficult in the best of times. Once again, we have been blown away by the community that is Marshfield for stepping up and making GNL a reality. Special thanks to Mike Seyffert for working the system so that Grad Nite remains a free event and a gift to Marshfield’s graduating seniors. The Steering Committee’s Treasurer Nancy Beck and Secretary Christine Cotter make sure all of the numbers and records make sense, while P.R. Coordinator Jean Sawtelle gets the message out.
Versions of Grad Nite Live occur in many communities, but none can match what is produced in Marshfield and we have our very talented decorators to thank for that. It is their creations that really make the event pop. Thank you to Katheryne Hahn and Lizann Moffet for Sponge Bob, Cathy Cugini for The Fintstones, Todd Alvey for the Power Puff Girls, Kirsten Borror-Chappel for the Doorway art, Suzanne Dailey and Judy Sacco for Winnie the Pooh, Pam Habel Adam Poirier, Alex Wall and the Boys & Girls Club Crew for Looney Tunes, Julie Snow and Marie Kurmin for The Jetsons, Julie and Michelle Snow for the Kim Possible picture wall, Stephne Haddad and crew for Rugrats, Rachel Coppenrath/Latta, and Heidi Coppenrath/Conway for Rocket Power, Carolyn Shanley for Scooby Doo, Sally Dean-Mello for the “Thank you” wall and Teenage Ninja Turtles and finally to Beth Griffin and Jim Fitzgerald for the TV entryway and friends. Many thanks to Jen Catarius, Leslie Scollins and crew for painstakingly cutting, pasting and displaying the hundreds of senior pictures. Special thanks to Heidi Conway and Judy Sacco who coordinate the decorating and beautifully fill in the gaps making it all one giant masterpiece.
Our thanks go out to all the MHS underclassmen who were on hand for loading and unloading especially members of the MHS Lacrosse and Football teams. Once again, thanks to Dave Farrell for supervising the truck load and for driving on Thursday and Friday.
It is estimated that more than 1,500 people previewed Grad Nite in a two hour period between 7 and 9 PM, the responsibility for moving that many through the area, and maintaining security, belonged to Preview Coordinator Cindy Betters.
While the “creation” is magnificent, we have to keep the grads busy and Activities Coordinators Maureen Edwards, Marybeth Harnish and Roy Armijos did just that by implementing tournaments and furnishing the kids with more than could be accomplished in one night. Special thanks to Casino “Pit Boss” Dan Burke and his crew. We get the kids attention as they walk in … it’s what you guys do that holds them all night.
There are too many chaperones to list, but simply put, Grad Nite does not happen with out you so please accept our thanks and understand how important you are to GNL. The literally hundreds of chaperones are coordinated by Kelly DeGust, Gail Fraser and Laurie Landry. We also need to thank all of the “senior parents” who, with Dismantling Coordinators Angela Griffith and Greg Crowley showed up at 5 AM to dismantle and clean-up the event, saving those of us that had been at the school since 2 PM on Friday and were literally exhausted. By 8:30 on Sunday, you would never have known what went on all weekend.
Steve Robbins … what can we say? Luv ya man.
Thanks to the Marshfield Fair and the YWCA for providing prep and painting space during May. Lastly we need and very much get cooperation and assistance from the Marshfield High School Custodial staff, Guidance team and Administration. Thank you for allowing us to take over your school, at least temporarily.
By the way, thanks to Pat and Chris Trainor for hosting the site. It is enormous and they have been there since day one. The logistics of the event are simply huge; given the sheer number of volunteers, the food coordination, the construction and decoration, not to mention 300 sweaty and highly charged graduates. We can always use fresh ideas and new blood. The web-site lists names and contact information for several members of the Steering Committee, so please feel free to touch base and offer a hand.
We can never, ever say thank you enough, so one last time thank you to everyone involved with Grad Nite Live. The 2010 graduation celebration that is Grad Nite came off without a hitch. Our graduates had a whole lot of fun and every single one of them were safe and happily filled with the memory of one last night together as a class. Congratulations to the Marshfield High School Class of 2010. Who dat? You are what Grad Nite Live is all about.
Once we’ve caught up on our sleep, we’ll start talking about GNL 2011. What will next year’s theme be? Stay tuned ... it goes by in a blink.
Sincerely,
Bill Bowers
Suzanne Dailey
Beth Griffin
Co-Chairs – Grad Nite Live |
Grad Nite Live 2009
Saturday, May 30th
Theme - Travel The World!
Click HERE for Photos
The bar has been raised. The 2009 edition of Grad Nite Live was an unmitigated SUCCESS! We tip our hats to all the contributors and volunteers who have once again, made GNL what it is. Grad Nite Live, lucky number 13, went off without a hitch and very simply, it is a credit to all of those who made donations of food, cash, materials, time, and talent. GNL was well planned and it was executed flawlessly. This year’s theme was “World Travel” with departure from MHS International Airport to destinations including, Japan, Africa, South America, Australia, Egypt, France and Great Britain.
We would be remiss in not mentioning the Class of 2009. These guys were a blast! 88% of the graduating class participated in the event. 100% of them passed the alcohol test. They were high energy, appreciative, pleasant and polite. They had so much fun and they were so much fun to be with. The Class of 2009 showed “class” and maturity by making the smart decision to avoid alcohol and attend Grad Nite Live. To be honest, you gave us much more than we gave you. Be proud, it was a pleasure to spend the “nite” with you.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to Rob Nerger and the Foster Lumber crew who for the 12th straight year were on hand to help with construction and who allow us to store all of the GNL “stuff” at their facility. Jack and Tom Cullen of Cullen Electric were there for the 12th year as well; essentially re-wiring the back portion of the High School to accommodate the lighting and power needs of the event. Virtually every restaurant in town contributed food for the evening and trust us, there was very little left over. Food Chairs Dottie Pisano and Julie Snow coordinate that effort and both had seniors this year. Remarkable!
We also need to thank J.N. Muldoon Trucking, BuyTheCase.Net, Pam and Dave Snell of American Computer Technologies, the Marshfield Police and Fire Departments, as well as the Molly Fund for both in-kind and cash contributions.
Raising the $25,000 necessary to fund GNL is difficult in the best of times. Once again, we have been blown away by the community that is Marshfield for stepping up and making GNL a reality. Special thanks to Jim Murphy for doggedly working the system so that Grad Nite remains a free event and a gift to Marshfield’s graduating seniors. The Steering Committee’s Treasurer Nancy Beck and Secretary Christine Cotter make sure all of the numbers and records make sense, while P.R. Coordinator Mark Landry gets the message out.
Versions of Grad Nite Live occur in many communities, but none can match what is produced in Marshfield and we have our very talented decorators to thank for that. It is their creations that really make the event pop. Thank you to Katheryne Hahn and Lizann Moffet for Japan, Cathy Cugini for Africa, Todd Alvey for Australia, Kirsten Borror-Chappel for South America, Suzanne Dailey, Pam Habel Adam Poirier, Alex Wall and Kathleen Newcomb for Egypt, Julie Snow and Marie Kurmin for France, Stephne Haddad, Nadine Bernard, Rachel Coppenrath/Latta, and Michele Coppenrath for Great Britain, Sally Dean-Mello for the “Thank you” wall and Ross Troiano and Beth Griffin for MHS International Airport. (Pete Leonard you were missed. Good luck on your deployment to Iraq). Many thanks to Jen Catarius, Leslie Scollins and crew for painstakingly cutting, pasting and displaying the hundreds of senior pictures. Special thanks to Heidi Conway and Judy Sacco who coordinate the decorating and beautifully fill in the gaps making it all one giant masterpiece.
While there are many students who help out, we really need to mention the MHS Peer Leaders for their time and effort over Friday and Saturday. We were way ahead on Friday night because of them. Thanks to the Thursday afternoon truck loaders: Tanner Dailey, Stephen Sousa, Matty DiGrigoli, Bob MacNeil, and Ian Steele. Lastly, MHS juniors: Kate Cullen, Anna Conway and Billy Bowers, along with MHS graduate (current Providence College junior) Mary Cullen were absolutely indispensable all weekend. While not a student (for many years now) thanks to Dave Farrell for supervising the truck load and for driving on Thursday and Friday.
It is estimated that more than 2,000 people previewed Grad Nite in a two hour period between 7 and 9 PM, the responsibility for moving that many through the area, and maintaining security, belonged to Preview Coordinator Cindy Betters.
While the “creation” is magnificent, we have to keep the grads busy and Activities Coordinators Maureen Edwards, Marybeth Harnish and Roy Armijos did just that by implementing tournaments and furnishing the kids with more than could be accomplished in one night. Special thanks to Casino “Pit Boss” Dan Burke and his crew.
There are too many chaperones to list, but simply put, Grad Nite does not happen with out you so please accept our thanks and understand how important you are to GNL. The literally hundreds of chaperones are coordinated by Kelly DeGust, Gail Fraser and Laurie Landry. We also need to thank all of the “senior parents” who, with Dismantling Coordinator Angela Griffith showed up at 5 AM to dismantle and clean-up the event, saving those of us that had been at the school since 2 PM on Friday and were literally exhausted. (Parents of 2010 grads … we hope you are reading this).
Steve Robbins … you are the best!
Thanks to the Marshfield Fair for providing prep and painting space during May. Lastly we need and very much get cooperation and assistance from the Marshfield High School Custodial staff, Guidance team and Administration. Thank you for allowing us to take over your school, at least temporarily.
Please check out our web-site at www.GradNiteLive.com for a complete list of donors and contributors as well as images of Grad Nite Live - 2009. By the way, thanks to Pat and Chris Trainor for hosting the site. It is huge and they have been there since day one. The logistics of the event are simply huge; given the sheer number of volunteers, the food coordination, the construction and decoration, not to mention 240 “amped-up” graduates. We can always use fresh ideas and new blood. The web-site lists names and contact information for several members of the Steering Committee, so please feel free to touch base and offer a hand.
Now that the Advil has kicked in and we’ve caught up on our sleep, we realize that we can never say thank you enough, so one last time thank you to everyone involved with Grad Nite Live. The 2009 graduation celebration has come and gone without incident but with a whole lot of fun. Congratulations to the Marshfield High School Class of 2009. You are what made this edition what it was. The planning for GNL 2010 is just around the corner and the 2010 grads have a lot to live up to. It is months of planning and preparation … We can’t wait!
Sincerely,
Bill Bowers
Suzanne Dailey
Beth Griffin
Co-Chairs – Grad Nite Live |
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