BFA-Fairfax Students Enjoy Alternative Party

The following article appeared on Page 3A of the June 23, 2008 Edition of The St. Albans Messenger:

BFA-Fairfax students enjoy alternative party

LISA M. BOUCHER,
Messenger Correspondent

One believed he was Tarzan and ran around thumping his chest, Jumping over chairs yelling, "I am Tarzan!" Another believed he was in labor, ready to give birth and was moaning in pain. The young man who believed he was the father began to panic and yelled at everyone to get out of the way. Then suddenly they were all MTV's 2008 Sexy Dance Winners performing interesting and provocative moves for (and to) the audience.

It wasn't a skit from a Saturday Night Live rerun, although it could have been. It was 14 BFA-Fairfax Project Graduation attendees who volunteered to be hypnotized, reacting to various post-hypnotic suggestions. As the final montage rapidly unfolded, like a music video with quick-cut edits, it was bedlam in the gymnasium when inhibitions disappeared or confusion took hold.

A little more than half of BFA Fairfax's 98 graduating seniors attended last Sunday's Project Graduation party from 7 p.m. to 5 the following morning.

A young woman lost her belly button and another saw Brad Pitt in a parent chaperone and jumped up and clung on to him like any self respecting fanatic would do. The audience, not pre-warned of the agility requirements to watch the show, roared with laughter throughout and got out of the way as needed.

If the group wasn't doing something loud and goofy (no one clucked like a chicken) they were all asleep receiving the next suggestion, which happened instantaneously on queue and equally funny because most fell off their chair or in the lap of the person next to them.

The graduates, along with about 15 guests and five chaperones started the evening with a trip to the Sports and Fitness Edge in Essex to use the pool and gym. Upon returning to the school, the group had pizza, soda, and the hypnotist for an hour. Other activities throughout the night included black light volleyball, an inflatable obstacle course, jousting, henna tattoos, massage, a caricature artist, and prizes given away every 15 minutes or so.

"It wasn't bad, it just lasted too long," said one graduate wanting his name withheld, "There is only so much you can do until five in the morning!"

Many others, including the planning committee, felt his sentiment. "I think it starts too early for one thing," said Kim Taber, chair of the 2008 Project Graduation committee. "They’ve had long day, they get tired. I think nine to three would be sufficient. No one is going to go out drinking at three in the morning.”

By the looks of the crowd, it did not appear as though they had the energy to walk to their cars and drive home to go to bed--never mind drive around and knock back a few brews.

'In the wee hours, after scrambling through the obstacle course, swimming, playing volley ball and jousting…, all with the verve of an elementary PE class, many were sprawled on the giant inflatable air-mattress that served as the jousting platform.

Others were getting a henna tattoo or patiently waiting for their intricate Hindu design to dry. Some were getting massages, their picture drawn, or just hanging out in small groups.

The "prize patrol" as the parent volunteers dubbed themselves, drew names and handed out gifts all night, with the promise of a gift bag for each senior upon leaving. The bags contained little gifts like key chains, candy, etc and each had a $50 gas card.

Even the gift bags were of little interest by the end—everyone just wanted to leave. Sadly the good memories were overshadowed by the night dragging on and fatigue setting in. However, no one was killed in an alcohol related crash and since that was the point, it was a resounding success.