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The first-ever post-graduation event for West Salem High School graduates was such as success there’s only one way to describe it.

“It was amazing,” said Karen Gilster, one of organizers of the event.

In just over two months’ worth of planning, eight parents of West Salem seniors got together to put on the After Graduation Event, an opportunity that gave grads a safe place to be on graduation day that was alcohol-, tobacco- and drug-free. About $14,000 in cash and prizes was raised for the event, and with 94 of the 125-member senior class showing up, expectations were exceeded.

“It just took off and running; it had legs of its own,” said Gilster, whose son, Ethan Sobkowiak, was among the class of 2008. “The successes were obvious.”

The event was held May 25 at Feature’s Sports Bar & Grill from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day. It was the first time an organized post-graduation party was planned for West Salem seniors.

High school Principal Troy Gunderson said the event was a good opportunity to provide a safe and positive environment for graduates. Although he didn’t attend — done on purpose because of his ever-present persona as principal — Gunderson said he has heard many compliments from the event.

“What a wonderful event,” he said. “By all reports, both the kids and the parents had a wonderful time. This program is an example of parents working hard to provide safe and healthy alternatives for their children. Anything that reduces the likelihood of or the opportunity for poor choices by teenagers is a plus.”

Graduates attending the event were asked to turn in vehicle keys as a promise to spend the night, but there was plenty to do. Some events included bowling, casino games, movies, pool, karaoke and video game tournaments; entertainment consisted of a hypnotist and music by Killians Fault and high school art teacher Quenten Brown.

A big draw for many seniors were the prizes given away; in addition to cash prizes, a Nintendo Wii, a 22-inch television, an iPod and a laptop were available in the raffle. Rae Davis won the grand prize of $2,000, while Molly Jensen was also a big winner with $1,000 and the laptop; Emily Klos won the other $1,000 prize.

Tyler Pederson, the winner of the Wii, said he enjoyed himself and felt his classmates did as well. Although the prize giveaways attracted many of the seniors, he said being able to be with friends was just as fun.

“My initial reaction (when I heard about the event) was that it might be fun, but later I found out about the prizes and I said ‘I’ve got to go to this,’” said Pederson, 18. “It was fun to win prizes, but it was also fun to be with friends.”

Over 80 prizes were given away during the night, but each attendee was give an laundry bag with his or her name monogrammed on it, and the bag contained about $30 in gift certificates and coupons.

Although the prizes were a draw, Laurie Perry — whose daughter Rachel graduated this year — said each student made a decision to be at the post-graduation event. With a larger-than-expected turnout — organizers had hoped for 80 — Perry said it speaks highly of the students.

“They all chose to do something that was a positive thing, and it kept them from making a bad choice,” she said.

The event was made possible though the help of donations and grants from businesses, organizations and individuals. In addition, organizers held a few fundraisers, such as a pork chop sandwich and bake sale, a rummage sale and an aluminum can drive.

“We had such a wonderful response from the kids and the community and the people we went to for fundraising money,” Perry said.

Organizers hope the After Graduation Event can be an annual event that continues to be planned by parents of seniors. Perry said this year’s event shows what good can come about when parents join forces; she said she wishes something like this was available when her son Ross, the middle of three kids, graduated in 2004.

“It was awesome for me and probably for the kids to see the people in that setting outside of school; I met so many kids and so many parents I did not know,” Perry said. “I wish four years ago we could have been as involved with the kids.”

Making the post-graduation event annual is looking good, though. Gilster’s next youngest son, Andy, will be a senior next school year, so the organizing group will have some parents with experience. Gilster said an e-mail about the post-graduation event was sent out to next year’s parents of graduates, and already the group has about six volunteers.

“Our goal was to make this a success so that the 2009 class wanted to do it,” Gilster said. “I think we’ve proven that it will happen again.”

Gunderson’s daughter, Kirsten, will also graduate next year, and he looks forward to helping make the After Graduation Event something that continues.

“As a parent, I hope that we can provide this opportunity again,” Gunderson said.“These parents and contributors really stepped up to the plate to make a difference for our children. This is another example of why West Salem is a great place to raise kids.”