Nineteen years ago, a Barnstable High School senior died in a car crash heading home after prom. To prevent another tragic incident like this from happening again, a group of parents reached out to the Barnstable community to give Barnstable students a safe, drug and alcohol free place to go after prom.

However, the event may not see its 20-year anniversary if new volunteers aren’t found to take over. For the past three years, Deb Nelson and Cheryl Corbett have been head co-chairs of the Celebration committee and both their children are seniors this year.

Most of the volunteers they work with are also senior parents, and without some new blood, the event is in jeopardy of not continuing in the future.

“We’ve all become really good friends and we love it, but we now need new parents with fresh ideas,” said Nelson. Now that Nelson’s daughter Courtney will be graduating this spring, she plans to step down from her head position, but still remain involved in a smaller role.

Nelson said that anyone who is interested in stepping up preferably be outgoing, even though “it’s honestly not a hard job at all…the best part is getting to know the students, parents and teachers at the school.”

The main attractions of Celebration vary from year to year but always revolve around a theme. This year’s theme is “Around the World.” Although many of the most popular events and games of the night are a surprise, students are told to be ready for many team events such as the ever popular, Human Fosse Ball.

Along with the games are popular prizes that students can win just for being there. Many valuable prizes are awarded throughout the night, anything from Country Fest tickets to cash.

The prices of events, games, and decorations do add up to quite a bit of money.  According to Deb Nelson, co-chair of the event, they need to raise between $20,000- $30,000 to cover all the night’s expenses. Even though Celebration does receive generous donations from the community and parents, most of their money comes from the fundraisers.

Senior Annie Tamash attended Celebration her sophomore year and “loved it.”

Like Tamash, many other students also enjoyed their experience at after prom including senior Courtney Nelson.

“It was really nice to be able to have somewhere safe to go with your friends,” said Nelson.

Senior Gabby Riley also attened Celebration last year and recalled her favorite part being the hypnotist  because it was really fun to watch. “He made people think they were having babies,” said Riley.

Seniors Sami Carey and Allie Charron  remember the best part of Celebration  was the food. The food ranged from desserts to DJ’s wings.

Charron also enjoyed the dance floor. “A couple of my friends and I started the cupid shuffle, it was awesome,” said Charron.