Haverford High School
Parent-Teacher-Student Association

The B.L.A.S.T. -- We kept 450 of our kids safe last year!
(Best and Last of All Senior Times After-Prom Party --
a safe alternative to post-prom driving)

11pm Friday, May 11, 2012 into Saturday, May 12, 2012 until 5am

Webmaster's note: organizing this page is a real challenge -- there is a lot of information here.  In the top part, you'll find our sponsors list (we couldn't do the BLAST without our wonderful and generous sponsors), prize list, entertainment schedule, and explanation for parents.

Then, we list our Committee/Desciptions/Help Wanteds, photo galleries, list of BLAST night activities and the calendar

Naturally, we also have information re: how you can donate money if you can't donate time!  :-)

Please take a look!



[added 10/13]  BL.A.S.T. Open House!  Join us at 7pm on Tuesday, November 1 in the room 126 amphitheater (located at the opposite side of the building from the auditorium).  The BLAST isn't really a party -- it's a safe alternative to late-night and/or impaired driving. 
BLAST 2011 info below  -- expect 2012 updates shortly after the new year!
Our May 2011 sponsors!  Please, please, please patronize these local businesses and organizations -- they're helping us keep our kids safe!  Tell 'em you saw their listing on the B.L.A.S.T. Web site! 
Co-Chair needed!  The current Chair of the BLAST is moving on after the 2012 edition of the BLAST.  If the BLAST is to last, a Co-Chair must be found to "shadow" the current Chair and learn the ropes.  If you're a creative and social person, you can do this -- and we need you!  Contact current Chair Jenn McNicholas at blast@hhsptsa.org.
B.L.A.S.T. prizes!  We want you to stay all night -- and stay safe.  Will we bribe you?  You betcha! [Remember: you don’t have to go to the prom to attend the BLAST!]  Very cool prizes: iPad; Toshiba laptop computer; ipod Touch; Bose ipod speaker system; Canon digital camera; 19” flat screen HD TV/DVD player; $250 cash prize; Phillies tickets; Guitar Hero – World Tour.   Prizes drawn at 4:30 A.M.-- you *must* be present to win!
B.L.A.S.T. entertainment!  Wow, what a lineup.  Here's the schedule!
Why have a B.L.A.S.T.?  Parents, think back to your prom days.  You probably went to your prom, left around midnight and drove down to the Jersey shore (if you're from this area).  Maybe you weren't tired or alcoholically-impaired -- but you probably know of someone who was.  The B.L.A.S.T.'s tag line is "Keeping our kids safe!"

In order to be an attractive alternative to driving on prom night (morning, really) to our kids, the scale of the party has to be awe-inspiring.  We also bribe them with expensive gifts; activities that are very labor-intensive and/or costly to run; and just generally go way out of the way to make the night special.

Several other neighboring school districts have lost kids to car crashes on prom night during the 18 years we have been running the B.L.A.S.T.  Please help us continue to offer our kids a better alternative than an unsafe 2am drive to Wildwood!
Solution Graphics One of the ways you can help is by donating money.  We use money to purchase prizes (aka bribes) like: strong>gift cards for The Apple Store,  Best Buy,  iTunes (VERY popular), Hot Topics, Urban Outfitters, American Eagle, Target, Old Navy, King of Prussia Mall;  college gear (VERY popular), like sweats, mugs, t-shirts; jewelry; items from Five Below (iPod speakers, lava lamps, etc.)

Money also goes towards the cash raffle prize at the end of the night ($250).  We use some to purchase grand prizes, like: iPod Touch, laptop computer, 19" HD TV/DVD combo, digital camera, PS 3, Xbox/Wii, Rock Band and/or Guitar Hero, iPod speaker system.

Does it seem like we spend a lot?  
We need to -- we're competing with a drive to the Jersey shore.  Schools that have tried smaller versions of the B.L.A.S.T. have not succeeded in attracting a high percentage of kids -- like we always do, year after year after year.  If we build it, they come.  If we don't, they won't.  Click the PayPal logo at the left to visit our Donation page -- you can contribute via paper check, or online via credit card or PayPal account.  Thank you!

Help *desperately* needed!  It's true that we're having trouble raising money during these troubled economic times, but we're also having trouble finding volunteers.  We're burning out some our volunteers because they 're doing too much.  Many hands make light work.  Would you please read a little more and see if there is anything you would be willing to help with?  Plenty of small jobs, plenty of one day (or night) jobs.

Committees need help now with the "construction". They're in the process of coming up with their ideas and plotting out what they will need to do.  For the not so artistically inclined, there are "paint-by-number" jobs.  For the artistically inclined, you can use your skill to get design ideas onto paper/poster/wood/etc.  Some work can be done at home (cutting out, pasting, etc.).  Some work is done at Brookline School, our staging area. (Again, you don't have to have skill, just be able to follow directions.)  Even if you come for an hour or two here or there!  We'll need people to help put it all together on the day of the BLAST. Community members and Freshman, Sophomore and Junior parents especially would be great -- it would enable the Senior parents to have some time to get home, take photos, etc.

Committees
Front Entrance Committee: We design the Entrance to the school as well as the front lobby. It is the first thing the kids see when they arrive at school. Last year we constructed the drive-in for the science fiction movies. We do a lot of painting – you don’t need to be artistic – we guide you along the way! Even if you can only come for an hour or so, we could use your help!

Hallways & Bathrooms: Yes, we really do decorate the bathrooms! We do a lot of painting and gluing and cutting out of things. There are projects you can do at home if that works well with your schedule.

Front Bathrooms: You would not believe you are in a bathroom!!! There’s lots of painting by numbers, cutting out designs and gluing. Some things we do at school and some things can be done at home – we give great directions!!

Coffee House: We have some great ideas and could use your help making them a reality! Like the other committees we have lots of painting, cutting out and gluing to be done. We’re flexible, help us out at school or take things home….we’re easy!

Crash Room: We’re very laid back – our area consists mostly of carpets and cushions on the floor so the kids can relax, watch TV or just nap. We do some painting, cutting out and gluing at school and at home.

Prize Committee: We solicit donations and also do some shopping. We provide the prizes the kids “shop” for during the BLAST. We ask local businesses to donate everything from gift cards to cash, key chains to photo albums. Shop ‘til you drop!

Casino: THE most popular place at the BLAST. The kids spend the night gambling for “money” to spend at the prize table. We have lots of painting, cutting out and gluing to be done. No experience necessary, be prepared to meet great people and have some fun or work at home listening to your iPod. It’s all good!

Fortunetellers: Real fortunetellers take their place under decorated tents, surrounded by “walls” that we paint to create an aura of mystery! Painting, gluing & cutting out designs – easy stuff!

Gym Cafe Committee: we design the dining area where the Food Committee feeds the students throughout the BLAST. For those who attended the Walk Through last year, our group did Stargate. No experience necessary - just a great sense of humor and willingness to work with some awesome volunteers!   New volunteers always welcome!  Penthouse entrance is up the steps next to the elevator at the back of the west commons hall, or ask a janitor to let you up on the elevator.

Balloon Committee: Have fun creating balloon trees, bouquets and arches on the day of the prom -- from 4pm untill 9pm, just an hour or two will help! Contact Maria Smith at marias@hhsptsa.org

Setup on the day of the BLAST (May 11, 2011) is from 11:30am until whenever we finish.  It's a crazy, fun and adrenaline-pumping day. It's quite amazing to see it all come to life!  See the photo gallery below for a taste -- pay special attention to the scale (sheer size)!

Casino Dealers on the night of the BLAST!  Several needed!  Come at 8-9pm to set up the tables.  Need dealers for 9 black jack tables, one roulette table, and 4 texas hold em tables.  At each table we have a dealer and a banker.  Need to wear black dress pants, and white dress shirt.

If you have any questions or would like to volunteer (please, please please!), contact Chairs Jenn & John McNicholas at blast@hhsptsa.org.

Senior parents donation/volunteer form Penncrest High holds mock DUI crash as reminder of prom dangers

BLAST photo gallery showing past BLAST extravaganzas
2011 gallery! 

2010 gallery! 

2009 gallery! 
Pre-2009 photos below (click on a thumbnail to see a larger version)...

BLAST picsBLAST picsBLAST picsBLAST picsBLAST pics
BLAST picsBLAST picsBLAST picsBLAST picsBLAST pics

 


BLAST ACTIVITIES – (prior years)

HUMAN FOOSBALL
MECHANICAL BULL
SUMO WRESTLING
POOL TABLE
MONEY BOOTH
FORTUNE TELLERS
PINBALL MACHINES
ARCADE GAMES
PRIZE TABLE
DIGITAL RECORDING BOOTH
DIGITAL PHOTO BOOTH
CAFÉ FOR YOUR DINING PLEASURE
GUITAR HERO
DDR DANCE REVOLUTION
CRASH ROOM
CASINO
COFFEE HOUSE
AWESOME RAFFLE FOR VERY COOL PRIZES THAT INCLUDED
 
LAPTOP COMPUTER, WII SYSTEM, ROCK BAND, IPOD,
 
IPOD SPEAKER SYSTEM, $250 CASH ,  FLAT SCREEN HD TV
FOOD
BEVERAGES
BREAKFAST

There are many ways to help with the BLAST 

*   Be involved with the designing, planning and building. This takes place now until the day of the BLAST. 
*  
The prize committee starts now to purchase prizes for the prize table and approach local businesses for donations.
*  
The food committee contacts local restaurants, etc. for food donations for the night of the BLAST.
*   
We need as many volunteers as possible on the day of the BLAST to help with setting up.  We start at 11:00 am and begin the transformation!  Students are given community service credit for helping out. Pizza and refreshments are provided.
*   
Volunteers are needed to phone senior parents confirming that they have given their child permission to leave the BLAST early. That takes place the week before the BLAST.
*   
Chaperones stay the entire night or piggyback with others.  Volunteering even a few hours is appreciated.  Even senior parents are invited to chaperone!
*  
Clean-up and breakdown the morning after.  It starts at 7:00 am and we provide breakfast (especially coffee!)  If you’re not an early riser, you can come in at 9:00 and still be of help :o)

Perks:

You get to meet and work with some very special people.  Our volunteers are amazing, fun, and care about our kids.

This event would not be possible without your help.

Parents of Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors, your child’s turn will come before you know it. 

 

 

B.L.A.S.T. 2011 Calendar 

Thu May 12       7pm: Committees may move large decorations to the 1st floor. 

Fri May 13        11:30am: Classes dismissed, B.L.A.S.T decorating begins. Underclassmen are invited to help.  Food provided AND Community service given!!

Fri May 13        10pm: Community walk-through, everyone welcome! 

Fri/Sat May 13/14        11pm-5am: B.L.A.S.T. 2011! 

Sat May 14       7:30am:  Clean up begins. Breakfast provided for both shifts!
                        9am:  Second shift arrives.
                        Students invited to help, community service given!