RAYSAC After Prom Grand Finale History
RAYSAC, the Roanoke Area Youth Substance Abuse Coalition, is a group of concerned citizens, parents, students, teachers, police officers, business people, judges, and other caring individuals that are striving to keep the youth of the Roanoke Valley and Southwest Virginia alcohol, tobacco and drug-free. RAYSAC was incorporated in 1984, as a non-profit organization.
In 1987, several schools in the State of Virginia began offering their students an After Prom Party. These parties address the serious issues of youth drinking, drug use, and driving behavior during this high-risk social event. One needless death or injury from any alcohol or other drug-related crash on this high-risk occasion is considered one too many. After Prom Parties encourage a positive approach to negative stereotypical perceptions of what teen “rites of passage” traditions have been by offering all-night alcohol/drug-free teen celebrations to assure that Virginia’s teens have a positive alternative on prom night.
Since 1989, RAYSAC has coordinated and sponsored the After Prom Grand Finale Event. This event recognizes students who participate in their schools after prom parties. Juniors and Seniors who attend their schools after prom party become eligible to attend the Grand Finale where they may win a new vehicle donated by First Team Auto Mall and other major prizes. This is an additional incentive for the students to stay alcohol and drug-free for that night.
RAYSAC has set up some basic guidelines for schools’ participation in the Grand Finale. This way, all students have an equal chance to win the car and other incentives. We have chosen Juniors and Seniors as eligible students because it is their prom, most of them have their driver’s licenses, and they are at an age when the “traditional” drinking takes place at such an occasion. Posters highlighting the Grand Finale at the individual parties remind them of their choice to stay drug-free and possibly win a brand new car and promote the vehicles contributor, First Team Auto Mall.
We hope that all schools in the State of Virginia offer these positive alternatives. RAYSAC offers the Grand Finale to high schools in Southwest and Central Virginia and encourage all communities to pull together to keep our youth safe, alcohol, tobacco, and drug-free.