Forest Park, Hylton high ‘rumble’ to raise funds

The staff of the Forest Park High Bruins and the Hilton High Bulldog faced off last Friday in the first "Spriggs Road Rumble" for a good cause—to raise money for each high school's Grad Night Program.

"It was great fun," said Dany Peabody, one of the organizers of the rumble and of Forest Park's Grad Night. "And, each school made about $500."

Grad Night is a drug-free, alcohol-free all-night party celebration on graduation night.

Peabody said the Rumble got a lot of support not only from the students but the faculty and staff, many either by participating or making donations.

"Everyone seemed to have a good time," she said. "We just had people coming out of the wood-work to help us. It was wonderful."

Especially for the Bruins, who won the Rumble and received a handmade—and donated—trophy from Jimmy Foglio, of Jimmy's Trophies and Awards, a resident of the nearby Four Seasons at Historic Virginia commu-nity.

Peabody credits the success of the event to the support and enthusiasm for the upcoming Grad Nights at the schools.

"The reason why we [have Grad Nights] is that notoriously on graduation night, kids want to go out and celebrate," Peabody said. "With this, it keeps them safe. It keeps them drug and alcohol free. It elimi-nates worry for parents."

Grad Nights are nationally sponsored events supported by the MADD organization, law enforcement agencies and insurance companies.

Since the Northern Virginia area held the first celebration in 1987, this area has not had an incident on graduation night involving any graduating seniors of the more than 45 area high schools.

"It's one night that is such a danger," Peabody said. "You know the kids are going to want to go out and play. [Grad Night] keeps them in a controlled environment. It's a great party," Peabody said. "It's also the last night for them to see their friends. Nothing after grad night will ever be the same. It gives them one last opportunity to play safe, to be safe before they start their new life."

The Forest Park Grad Night on June 13, like most, is completely run by parent volunteers and paid for by donations and fundraisers such as the Spriggs Road Rumble. It will be held at the Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center. Tickets are $50 i

advance or $60 at the door.

At Hylton, where graduation is also June 13, Grad Night will be held at Dave and Buster's in Maryland. Tickets are $60 or $65 on the day of the party.

Peabody said she got involved in organizing the event for her daughter, "so she can have that one last hoorah. I will know for at least this last night of high school that she will have some of the best memories she will ever have."

Staff writer Aileen Streng can be reached 703-878-8010.