LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Every year, the Co-op class at Paris Cooperative High School takes on a significant project to raise money for the much-anticipated After Prom event. The most detailed and engaging fundraiser they organize is the “Princess for a Day” event, where students plan and execute a magical experience for young children in the community.
“This is the most detailed project that we have,” Heather Robison said. “The students are basically in charge of this whole thing. They acquire volunteers from other students and people they know to do nails, makeup, crafts and more.”
On Saturday, March 1, children from the community were treated to a fairy-tale experience, complete with hair and makeup styling, crafts, movies, magic wands, tea cups, coloring pages and other fun activities.
“We had little magic wands for them to decorate, and little tea cups—they’re actually espresso cups, but they work perfectly for tea cups,” Robison said. “It was really cute.”
Attendees decorated cupcakes, received treat bags and took photos with the Prince and Princess.
“One of our group members’ boyfriends came in and played the prince for us, which was really cute. He’s actually a Co-op alumni, so it was really neat to see him participate again,” Robison said.
The event was designed to be affordable for families, with discounted rates for siblings to encourage participation. Robison explained they adjust the pricing each year to keep it reasonable while maximizing involvement.
“What we like to do is have it around $20 per person, so we set it at $25 for the first princess in the family and $15 for any additional princesses. That way, it encourages more participation,” she said.
The funds raised through “Princess for a Day” and other fundraising efforts go directly to support After Prom, a safe and entertaining post-prom celebration. The long-standing tradition at PCHS provides students with a fun alternative to potentially dangerous after-parties.
“A lot of schools don’t have After Prom. Statistically, in the spring there is an increased chance of accidents as teens have a lot of reasons to celebrate,” Robison said. “We try to do our best to provide them a place that is really fun, where they can win prizes and have a great time with their class one last time before they graduate.”
After Prom kicks off at midnight following prom and runs until 4 a.m. Open to all juniors and seniors, as well as freshmen and sophomores who attended prom, the event includes exciting activities like a mechanical bull, a scavenger hunt and other various games.
“We try to have fun things like a mechanical bull, a jousting ring and all kinds of stuff for them to do,” Robison said. “We also have a lot of food. We buy Joe’s Pizza and just have lots of fun the whole night.”
Co-op students take immense pride in their efforts to keep it thriving. By taking the lead in organizing and executing these fundraisers, students gain valuable experience in event planning, teamwork and community engagement.
“We just kind of decide on a goal and then raise money,” Robison said. “Their goal this year is $20,000. It’s kind of slow-going, but we’re doing everything we can to reach it.”
Aside from Princess for a Day, the Co-op class organizes other creative fundraising events to meet their $20,000 goal. One unique event is Cow Pie Bingo, a lighthearted event where participants purchase $20 tickets corresponding to a grid drawn in a barn. A cow is then released into the designated area, and the winner is determined by where the cow leaves its “mark.” R3 Cattle Company is allowing the Co-op to borrow their cows for a few hours for the Cow Pie Bingo.
“You sell tickets ahead of time—typically $20 a ticket,” Robison said. “Then, we get a couple of cows and put them in the round barn at the fairgrounds. Beforehand, one of our maintenance guys goes out and draws a grid with chalk. Wherever the cows poop, that’s who wins! It’s super cute, but it just takes selling tickets.”
Despite some challenges in selling tickets for Cow Pie Bingo, the students remain determined to raise the necessary funds to ensure After Prom remains a successful and memorable event. Their dedication to the cause highlights their commitment to creating a safe and enjoyable experience for their fellow students while also engaging with the community in meaningful ways.
Individuals interested in purchasing tickets for Cow Pie Bingo or need more information about After Prom can reach out to Heather Robison at robsionh@pchs.k12.il.us or any student involved in the Co-op program.