Scene from 2024 Senior Appreciation Night. Courtesy/YMCA
Scene from 2024 Senior Appreciation Night. Courtesy/YMCA
By VERONIKA MAGNELIND
The Family YMCA
Senior Appreciation Night 2024 (SAN) happened on May 25, 2024 in Los Alamos. This year was its 40th anniversary since the inception in 1984. Then Acting Police Chief Gary Bequette found a way to help the community by organizing that first ever SAN.
“He got tired of seeing the kids go up to the Dome (Forest Service property) after graduation; inevitably there would be three or four accidents each year, resulting in injuries that were maiming kids for life, and he saw quite a few fatalities.”
This celebration is saving lives and has been doing so successfully for 40 years, instead of going up in the mountains and drinking, the community offers a safe drug and alcohol-free event for all seniors. This year’s celebration planning has been an uphill battle since the committee started meeting in November of 2023 as the incoming balance for SAN was just over $1,000. SAN costs over $12,000 to produce and requires around 50 volunteers the night of the event.
The SAN Committee consists of staff from The Family YMCA, Los Alamos County – Recreation, LAPD, LAFD, Mesa Public Library, Ruby K’s, Kiwanis, LAPS, Social Services, Atomic City Transit, SALA, PEEC, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, First United Methodist Church and any parent or community member who is interested in helping or providing feedback.
The Volunteers put the time and energy into this event to serve all seniors. In the class of 2024 there were 270 graduates and almost 180 of these seniors visited the Los Alamos Teen Center to solidify their mark in the LATC history by putting their hand print and signature on the walls. All participants tell volunteers that this night is one of the best in their senior year.
Everyone who is a senior is invited, you don’t have to walk to qualify, if you are home schooled you are welcome, took the GED – welcome, if you got that pesky letter saying you didn’t graduate – you are welcome, and you get to bring a guest. A total of 251 seniors and guests passed through during the event and over 115 seniors stayed the whole night and attended breakfast in the morning and participated in the drawing for the coveted grand prizes.
In 2024 the community really came together in a big way. It’s heartwarming to work at the event and see the sheer joy of the participants.
You all, the Los Alamo Community did that.
You created a safe space for these youth. This year the expectations for fundraising were exceeded and we were able to go all in on gifts for the Games Night Auction, prizes included beach towels, shower caddies, laundry bags (squish mallows are sold for around the same price as a house in Los Alamos) and also the grand prizes. The Grand Prizes this year included a dorm fridge, a smart TV, a laptop and other useful things for college life.
Thank you to all our Donors, Partners, Community Members and Sponsors, you are spectacular. Thank you grandparents for sending checks to cover the fee for your grandchild to participate, your love is endless. Thank you extended family for sending checks or texting to donate, your care is limitless. Thank you parents, you give your time, your money and your energy, please know it goes directly to the participants of SAN, your love, care and guidance of your youth is infinite.
I know summer is just starting, class of 2025, get ready to party on May 24, 2025! Connect with the committee through Instagram @senior_appreciation_night_la
Parents, community members and family, save the date May 24, 2025, 6 p.m., donate by texting SANLA to 707070.
Want to volunteer for 2025? Sign up here.
Scene from 2024 Senior Appreciation Night. Courtesy/YMCA