Event to move to downtown Roanoke among other changes.
RAYSAC – The Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition – has announced significant changes to the annual After Prom Grand Finale, which is highlighted every year by awarding a new car to a local student. “The program has always been successful, but this year we wanted to freshen it up,” said Ashley Hatcher, Grand Finale coordinator. So, after more than two decades as an indoor event, this year’s Grand Finale will be held, rain or shine on Saturday June 1, in downtown Roanoke’s Century Plaza, directly across the street from Fire Station Number one on Church Avenue.
The event is held as incentive for high school students who remain at their after prom parties — where they are safe – until the very end. “We have not had an accident that resulted in injury or death to a student at a participating high school since the program started 25 years ago,” said RAYSAC Director Kathy Sullivan.
Again this year, RAYSAC will offer a powerful incentive – a new car. The vehicle is a dark silver Nissan Juke donated by First Team Auto Mall. It is the 23rd year First Team has donated a vehicle for the After Prom Grand Finale. “We believe strongly in giving back to the community,” said David Dillon, president and general manager of First Team Auto Mall in Roanoke. “Year after year, we hear from the students that the car is the incentive. We are happy to be part of a program that’s working.”
The after prom program is available to 102 high schools across the region, from Martinsville to Bath County, to Lynchburg and west to the border with West Virginia. RAYSAC is actively recruiting schools so as many students as possible can participate.
In addition to the car, RAYSAC also guarantees that at least one student from each school will win a prize worth $100 or more. Another change this year will be the system for awarding those prizes. “In the past we had students compete in carnival-type games to earn points. This year we wanted to offer more adventurous entertainment, such as a rock-climbing wall,” said Hatcher. Instead of points, the actual awards will be given out after each event.
For more information on how to help keep kids safe on prom night, make a donation, or to include your school in the program, call Ashley Hatcher at (540) 982-1427 ext. 2132 or visit www.RAYSAC.org
