Iola High School juniors and seniors wont have to venture too far for their after-prom festivities Saturday night.
The annual affair in recent years had been capped with chartered bus trips to places like Kansas City.
This year, the junior class parents decided to keep the action within walking distance Iola Middle School, to be precise.
Thats intentional, explained Carla Nemecek, one of the after-prom organizers.
One of our big decisions came from thinking it was better to spend our money locally, Nemecek said. There are a lot of businesses who support after-prom.
Keeping the fun in Iola allows the students to return the favor, she noted.
There are several ripple effects.
Because organizers do not have to fund a charter bus to tote the 180 or so prom-goers hundreds of miles, the savings will allow organizers to once again give out special prizes to the students, such as flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges or microwaves.
They hadnt been able to do that the past few years, Nemecek said.
All prom-goers who make it to after-prom also will be given gift cards to local businesses and T-shirts.
Safety played a role in the decision as well, because students will not need to get back out on the road between the dance and after-prom.
THE FUN factor will still be dialed up to 11.
Large inflatable attractions will be set up in the IMS gymnasium, where a hoop shot contest also is in the works. A casino is being set up in the commons area, alongside a photo booth and Plinko game.
Plenty of food is on the menu, too.
