Like Rob McLaren, I have appreciated Dry Grad. As a father of four children, three have enjoyed the family friendly activities free from worry about police intervention.
They have worn sumo suits, eaten jello in strange ways, played giant games of cards, eaten platefuls of food (some of which was healthy), and escorted to and from, all for under $45.
They have also won prizes, and made memories which will last a lifetime.
For my kids, and many others, this was a choice to celebrate a life passage having a blast! McLaren, as one of the organizers, has been a good ambassador of the event, and judging from another good year, this will continue.
The endless debate over Safe vs Dry Grad boils down to a matter of choice.
If our children have already chosen to celebrate with alcohol, they will. If they have chosen to celebrate without alcohol, they will.
As a society, perhaps we emphasize that enjoyment without alcohol is not possible. If that is the case, then we have erred greatly. If we have sent the message that enjoyment can only happen without alcohol, then we, too, have sent the wrong message.
After some deliberation, perhaps the only choice is to have both Safe and dry grad, except safe grad should be limited to those over 18 only. No exceptions.
When it comes down to it, why are we focusing on how we celebrate instead of what we celebrate: another milestone for our children as they take one step towards adulthood.
Congratulations to both committees for organizing well.
Tim Lasiuta
Red Deer