As some of you in our community already know, each year, a group of dedicated parents, staff members, businesses, organizations and citizens work together to provide the Ironton High School junior and senior class students, and their guests, with an all-night party after the prom.

This event’s mission is to sponsor an activity-filled night of food, fun, fellowship, games and giveaway prizes for our youth. We have been providing this event, free of charge, for at least 15 years in an effort to keep our youth safe on prom night.

I was privileged to serve as this year’s chair of a committee of junior class parents who planned and organized this year’s event which was held after prom on May 4. I wanted to give a great big shout out to all those involved in making this year’s event such a success.

We had a very large percentage of students in attendance all night long. A great number of these participants won prizes as an added incentive to stay until the party’s end.

The dedicated group of volunteer parents who joined me on this committee was Laura and Herb Brown, Lisa and Larry Wilson, Francy Barron, Mary Beth Scherer, Missy Fields, Angie and Rocky White, Traci Fisher, Ginger Thomas, Scott and Heather Duty, and Mike McKee. We began planning in January, and met regularly up until the week of prom to organize this party. I sincerely appreciate all of the efforts of this committee to promote the safety of our students.

I also want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to the sponsors of this worthwhile event. The following businesses, organizations and citizens care enough about the safety and well being of our juniors and seniors and their guests to have given generous donations in the form of cash and prizes to fund this event.

Please thank these business contributors with your future patronage as they exemplify the qualities that make it rewarding to be living in a small community. Likewise, take time to thank a caring citizen or members of other organizations who also donated cash and prizes for this event.

The following is a list of businesses, organizations, and citizens who sponsored this event:

A Touch of Grace, Ad Victorium LLC, John and Fondalene Alfrey, Anderson Law Office, Brigham Anderson (Lawrence County Prosecutor), Applebee’s, Warren Armstead (State Farm Insurance), B.C. Tool Rental Inc., Dr. Robert and Stephanie Barnett, Bartrams Bros. Inc., Belk, Tim Klein (Bestitle), Blue Knights International KY VIII, Bob Evans (Ashland), Laura and Herb Brown, Buffalo Wild Wings, C.A.B. Inc., Charlie’s Tire Sales Inc., Cheddar’s, Child Welfare Club, City National Bank, City of Ironton, Bob Clyse, Creative Financial Solutions LLC, Crowe Rentals, Dr. John Davis DDS, William Dean and Bobbi Nance, Deane Evans (Image Works), William and Lily Dickens, Elite Rehab and Fitness, Fat Patty’s, Fazoli’s, Mark and Missy Fields, Debra L. Fisher, Dr. Jason and Kelli Ford, Fred’s, Friends of Ironton Inc., Giovanni’s (Ironton), Giovanni’s (Coal Grove), Dr. Carl A. Gleichauf DDS, Going Fishing Live Bait and Tackle, Gold Studio, Guy’s Floor Covering, Bill Hartley, Steven and Ann Harvey, Richard and JoLinda Heaberlin, Heightone Video Productions, Henthorn’s, Holy Smokes Barbq, Hot Spot, Hurley Insurance, Ironton High School Athletic Department, Ironton Band Boosters, Ironton Elementary PTC, Ironton Park Avenue Chiropractic, The Ironton Tribune, J&M Maynard Enterprises, Kellico Inc., King’s Island, Donald and Paulette Klaiber II, Knights of Columbus, Kathy Kratzenburg, Gary Leach (State Farm Insurance), Liberty Federal Savings Bank, Long John Silver’s (Ironton), Lou’s Style Shop, Mahajan Therapeutics, Mark F. Massie, McCauley’s, McDonalds (Ironton), Mike and Rayetta McKee, Dr. Phillip McMahon, Moe’s, Ohio Valley Crash Parts, Orange Leaf, Outback, Mark and Dru Pack, Paramount Arts Center, Tim and Jana Parnell, Dr. Burton and Leona Payne, Peddler’s Home Cooking, Phillips Funeral Home, Pollocks Jewelry, Premier ER Physicians, C.A Rambacher & Co. CPA, Roach Woods and Plastics, Sally’s Tax Service, Sam’s Club, Scherer Mountain Insurance, Scioto Ribber, St. Mary’s Medical Center (Ironton Campus), Mike Southers, Sta-Tan Pool, Texas Roadhouse, Juan and Lori Thomas, Tiger Clan Athletic Boosters, Tim’s News and Novelties, Tammi Vogelsong (Tipton’s Creations), Waldo Law Office, Doug Waller (Snyder’s), Weber Financial Services, Nick Weber O.D., Wendy’s, Wheelersburg Cinema, Rocky and Angie White, Rusty and Brenda White, Windstream, Wolfe and Bentley LLP and Paul Woods.

We live in a world full of uncertainty and bleak economic times, both locally and on a national level. In spite of all of this, however, this community came together and gave freely of their time and money to benefit and support our youth with this event. I can’t think of a better legacy to leave than demonstrating to our youth that they are worth our investment. On behalf of the committee, thanks to all of you for a job well done!

Rayetta Wilcoxon Waldo

Ironton