High School South presents its third annual gift show on Sunday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to support the Class of 2015 Post Prom Event. The party provides a safe, alcohol and drug-free extravaganza from midnight until 6 a.m. on high school premises after the actual formal event concludes. Traditionally, parents work the class’s entire senior year to raise funds for the event.
The December craft show at High School South has been an annual event for more than 20 years. Organizers were consistently turning away vendors because their items were not handmade. “We realized what an opportunity there was in hosting a gift show that would allow all types of wares to be sold,” says Sherrie Bailey, who has been part of the group running the craft show for more than 10 years.
Bailey, the financial secretary at High School South, has assisted the Post Prom mothers with the gift show for the past three years. “With the economy not at its best it has been a struggle to raise funds that help host our Post Prom each year,” she says. “Even with this realization, we knew that the undertaking of hosting this type of event was immense, and we needed someone to step up to the plate and dedicate hundreds of hours to develop this show.”
“The Post Prom is held in order to share a venue with students after their prom so that they can remain safe for the evening,” says Bailey. “This would not be possible if not for parents stepping up and running this show.”
Marie Nesci and Lisa Pappa chaired the first gift show in October, 2012. “Even though Superstorm Sandy decided to arrive that day the show was a success,” says Bailey. “It has been growing ever since.” There are close to 150 vendors now.
“This year’s gift show chairperson is Liz Boyle and she is to be commended for the time and dedication she has put into this year’s show,” says Bailey.
Boyle has lived in West Windsor for 17 years. This is her third Post Prom at South — and her last senior. Her children include Patrick, Class of 2013; Caroline, Class of 2014; and Maggie, Class of 2015. Patrick and Caroline are both at the University of Pennsylvania. Boyle, a community volunteer for many years, most recently completed a four-year project to light both high school athletic fields in the district with her husband, Pat.
Gina Finnie, the Post Prom chairwoman, has volunteered for Post Prom since 2009. She moved to West Windsor in 1999 and quickly became involved with school activities, sports, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, music programs, and community volunteering. Her children are Brandon, Class of 2009; Rebecca, Class of 2013; and Kristen, Class of 2015.
The importance of this show is that the money raised from this event goes directly to the Post Prom. “The creation of the gift show has helped tremendously,” says Bailey. “If you cannot attend you can still help keep our kids safe by making a donation.” Send to WWPHS South Post Prom, 346 Clarksville Road, West Windsor 08550.
Gift Fair, High School South Class of 2015, 346 Clarksville Road, West Windsor. Sunday, October 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. E-mail wwphsgiftshow@gmail.com. 609-716-5050. wwphsgiftshow.wix.com/southgiftshow.
