Since 1989, the educators and parents of Madison have created a special and safe evening for graduating seniors. Though postponed and revamped the last two years due to the pandemic, this year’s Nite In Hand (NIH) event will come back as strong as ever, thanks to efforts of volunteers like Beth O’Keefe.

Beth, along with Lisa Rana, are co-chairs for this year’s event and are super-excited as NIH has been restricted or canceled for the last several years. It may not seem like a big deal to folks without students, but NIH has become one of the most cherished events for Daniel Hand High School (DHHS) seniors and, according to Beth, is attended by more than 90 percent of the graduating class most years.

The event takes place entirely at the high school and its full of surprises, says Beth.

“It is founded on the idea of a safe, substance-free celebration to let the kids come together. It was formed with the idea of doing it actually in the high school, and that has been great. It’s such a unique event. Across the state there are very few, if any, that hold the event at the school. But not many are on the magnitude of ours, with the decoration, and the theme, the commitment. It is really extraordinary,” Beth says.

NIH allows the grads to get the chance to make one last memory with their friends and classmates before heading out into the world, Beth says.

“NIH is a reminder of how serious graduation is for our students, and we certainly want to provide that safe atmosphere for students as well. I think this event that lets kids celebrate with friends and even with those in their class they might not know as well. The chance to come together and to have some closure for their last year. We need to recognize that this is a serious night for students, and we want them to have fun, and make great memories,” Beth says. “It builds suspense and it is a well-anticipated event. Especially, since we haven’t been able to really hold it for two years, the kids this year are really looking forward to it. To come back to some level of normalcy—I think a lot of kids really want and need that. This tradition really has become the best senior event of the year. The culmination of four years of high school, and this is the final memory-maker for our students. For the seniors of Madison, this is their last school memory and this will be the place to be!”

The event doesn’t just come together by magic, it is a school-year long process that involves the entire community. Local, vendors, volunteers, and restaurants all donate to help pull off this magic evening, Beth says.

“It really is a year’s worth of planning. We start in September and try to get it going. The design team tries to find out what’s trending for the kids, and then by February/March they are well on their way to creating the design,” Beth says. “I was always fascinated with this event, and something I really wanted to be part of it. This year when they were looking for a chair person, Lisa and I had a talk and decided we wanted to take the lead.

“This is such a community-based event, and I really like working with people, so this is something that allows me to get to know people and work with people, and that for me…is a really great thing,” she continues. “I grew up in this town, but sometimes you tend to move in only certain circles, you see the same faces when your kids are involved in specific activities, but with this you meet other people. I’m a teacher and that is a really great growth opportunity...That is important to NIH, to get the community involved.”

Community businesses are also an integral aspect of pulling off the event, says Beth.

“Truthfully, we have had support from almost every business in town. They have really gone above and beyond for us this year and every year,” Beth says. “Their donations—the food is donated, there is money raised, and it’s a huge reflection of how important the town feels about its graduating seniors. The businesses know they are helping out and making it safe, so it truly is a community event.”

Every year, the theme is kept secret until the seniors arrive, so Beth can’t reveal too many details, but along with a huge variety of food, seniors will get to enjoy games, and food, and surprises.

“I really think it is such a great tradition, all of the elements and design. The whole surprise element for the kids is great to see, the kids never know what they are going to walk into and it has been spectacular,” says Beth. “We really create a venue where things keep happening and starting at different points that helps keep the excitement going and helps keep the energy going, and most kids just want love it.

“The key to this is entertainment, and we get [temporary] tattoo artists, games get set up, and so we stagger events and that allows the evening to really flow for the kids. There’s a DJ that plays all night, there’s a lot of dancing,” she says. “Plus, there is just food galore!”

Beth is tight-lipped on this year’s theme, but in past years everything from an 11-foot King Kong to a set that actually allowed kids to step into a book.

“They have done some really well thought out and well-planned themes in the past. They never have done the same one twice, so there is a lot of originality to every year. The design team spends a huge amount of man-hours to create this evening. There is just an incredible amount of work done by our volunteers,” says Beth. “There is a special surprise for the students this year. We finish off with a special guest surprise every year and this year will be no different.”

Students arrive at DHHS by 10 p.m., and must stay at the event until released at 5 a.m. This obviously keeps students away from the hazards of substances and the mix of driving. Madison has suffered its share of young adult deaths due to that deadly mix, so being able to be a part of keeping students safe is a personal and important aspect for Beth.

NIH is also looking for volunteers for the night of the event. Anyone interested in assisting Beth and her troops that evening can contact her via the information below.

“We’d love for underclass students and parents to get involved. Just because your child isn’t a senior you can still help out,” says Beth. “A lot of people think it’s going to be too much work, but we really make it manageable. And it’s fun—you are surrounded by people who all want the same experience. So, there are still volunteer opportunities available. We welcome anyone to come out and help. Security, entertainment and food shift volunteers are needed.”

Nite in Hand takes place on Tuesday, June 14 at DHHS. If interested in volunteering or for more information, email niteinhandmain@gmail.com.