1 David Yakobson
From: nicole faries <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2024 3:03 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Jennifer Smith; Diana Oliver
Subject: Agenda Item on Samohi Grad Nite
Categories: Blue Category
EXTERNAL
Dear Mayor Brock, Mayor Pro Tem Negrete and esteemed Council members, I would like to be at the meeting in person. However, I'm travelling with my family for Spring Break. Therefore, I’m writing to thank you for the support for Samohi Grad Nite over the years. I'm extremely grateful for the Council’s sustained support. I urge you to continue that support this year.
For more than 30 years Grad Nite has celebrated Samohi seniors while keeping them safe from harm on what is statistically the most dangerous night of a teenager’s life. With this in mind, students are not excluded from attending the event due to the cost of the ticket. Scholarships are provided for students if they need it. We want every student who wants to attend Grad Nite to come, and we don’t want cost to be a barrier. The kids have an opportunity to make memories with their classmates and friends for the last time on campus as a student.
2024 will mark the third year Grad NIte is back after a 2 year hiatus due to COVID. We are trying to balance the increased costs of putting on the event in the inflationary post-Quarantine world with fulfilling our goal of providing tickets for all students who want to attend, even those who can’t afford the cost of the ticket. This is where the City’s support is crucial and much appreciated. Please join with many community members in continuing the Samohi Grad Nite tradition.
Again, thank you very much for the support over the years. I hope you will continue to support this wonderful community tradition.
Sincerely,
Nicole Faries
co-Chair, Samohi Grad Nite
Item 16.B.
March 26, 2024
Item 16.B.
March 26, 2024
2 David Yakobson
From: Jennifer Smith <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, March 24, 2024 1:25 PM
To: councilmtgitems
Cc: Diana Oliver; Jennifer Smith
Subject: Grad Nite on the agenda 3/26/24
Categories: Blue Category
EXTERNAL
Dear Santa Monica City Council Members,
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude for your past support for Samohi’s Grad Nite event and ask for you to continue this support.
Apologies for not being able to be there in person, it is SMMUSD’s spring break and I am out of town.
I know many of you are aware of the long standing tradition (over 30 years) of celebrating our seniors and keeping them safe on the most dangerous night of their lives, thus far. There is much excitement this year as we keep the tradition alive and kicking. It has taken a bit of time after Covid to regain momentum but we are recapturing the spirit and support once again from this amazing city. I am always elated when I meet people (and there are many) who tell me "I went to grad nite - what a great event - it’s so great you are still doing it.” The fond and lasting memories are priceless.
I think you might also know this event takes a lot of community support to achieve, the last few years of inflation have driven up the costs to keep it going so we really need your support. Thank you for your consideration.
Thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Smith
Co-chair, Grad Nite
Item 16.B.
March 26, 2024
Item 16.B.
March 26, 2024