Rock Canyon ‘Rocks the Night Away’
By Jana Seal, RCHS intern writer; photos courtesy of Heidi Wing
In February, the Rock Canyon Community Alliance (RCCA) fundraised for the Rock Canyon High School (RCHS) annual After Prom event and also for classroom grants. The rock-themed date night event for RCHS community parents and faculty called Rock the Night Away was held at Cielo at Castle Pines. Live rock music, catering, a photo booth and a silent auction supported the event’s aim to fund teacher grants and student safety. Tickets sold for $50 per person or $75 per couple.
Cleverly tagged “Blinded by the Bid,” the event technically spanned January 30 through February 9 with an online auction. Some parents and teachers chose to place a stake prior to the event. Sports paraphernalia, gift baskets from local businesses, concert packages, and destination trips were among the items coveted during the online auction.
An annual event, Rock the Night Away has surged in popularity among teachers and parents alike and truly makes an impact for the students of RCHS. The event was largely conducted by Heidi Wing, RCCA president and Rock the Night Away chairperson, as well as RCHS volunteer coordinator Karen Brankin. The RCCA sponsors the event every year and presented RCHS Principal Andy Abner with a $10,000 check for classroom grants this year.
“Some examples of teacher grants include software upgrades, technology and equipment purchases … essentially, activities that enhance our students’ overall learning environment.” Brankin said, “The goal is to raise money, but more importantly to host an event that welcomes all Rock Canyon parents and builds a strong community.”
According to Abner, this money is going to be of great use. He plans to outsource the funding along these lines, in hopes of building an improved learning environment for RCHS students and teachers alike. Much of the money raised at the event through ticket sales, auctions and sponsors is directed toward RCHS After Prom.
According to the Center for Disease Control, one out of three alcohol-related teen traffic deaths occurs during prom season. After Prom aims to reduce this devastating impact by hosting an event where students are safe and “locked in” at the school following the prom dance. As this event encompasses vast amounts of food, games, decorations and prizes, it relies on a large amount of funding and volunteering, and it would not be possible without the RCCA.
