Holiday events will let teens party safely
By KALEY CONNER
As a grassroots group continues efforts to launch a Hays teen center, holiday festivities are planned to give high school students a safe way to celebrate.
A Halloween costume dance will be from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday at the Fanchon Ballroom, located on east Old U.S. Highway 40. The admission fee will be $5, and prizes will be distributed for the best costumes.
"Since dancing is pretty popular at high school dances, I thought that could be one of the main attractions," said Josh Allen, a sophomore at Hays High School. "I'm actually looking forward to it a lot. I think it'll be great."
Another dance is planned for New Year's Eve at Fox Pavilion, 1202 Main, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. The admission fee for that event is $6.
Allen is one of several students and community members on a teen center planning committee and has been working to raise student support for the past few months.
He has about 200 signatures on a petition in support of a teen center, and he hopes to obtain many more, Allen said.
The events also will be a good way to gauge student interests as efforts continue to obtain a building and establish a permanent hang-out spot, said Debra Purviance, who has been leading the efforts.
"Mostly, we're just trying to get a place where they can hang, socialize with each other," Purviance said, noting the group has been soliciting input from local teens.
A survey was distributed, with 86 percent of 215 Hays High and Thomas More Prep-Marian students indicating they want a teen center, Purviance said.
A group of interested volunteers has been meeting to further the endeavor. A main focus for now is identifying a building that could house such a facility, she said.
The idea was brought before the Hays City Commission in September. Commissioners suggested the group formulate a business plan, and those efforts are continuing, Purviance said.
More volunteers are needed for the upcoming events, and precautions will be taken to keep the evening drug and alcohol free, said Dr. Jeffrey Lowe, who also is helping with the efforts.
It's hoped the initial events will garner additional community support.
"We just hope these two events create awareness and recognition of the need," Lowe said. "That there is support from citizens."
For more information, or to volunteer, e-mail Debra Purviance at purviance@eaglecom.net.