Planning a Senior Banquet
Senior banquets celebrate the accomplishments of students graduating from high schools and colleges. The banquet can include a series of events, including dinner and an awards ceremony, so you must take a few months to prepare a timeline and ensure that the banquet flows smoothly. Does this Spark an idea?
Budget and Location
Determining the budget for the senior banquet will help you determine the accommodations as well as the refreshments. Holding the banquet at the school of the graduates helps if you have a small budget because you do not have to rent a space or pay a staff. Parents can donate trays of food and bring beverages to keep costs low. The only expense you might have is the cost of awards if you choose to hold an awards ceremony. This type of event can recognize students who maintained a high grade-point average or did not miss many days of school.
Large budgets are usually required if the senior class is large, because you have to find a room that will hold the students and their parents. Although a gymnasium is sufficient, you should consider a more comfortable accommodation, especially if you want to provide a meal that a large budget is capable of supplying. Look into local hotels that have expansive rooms specific for large banquets. The benefit of using a hotel is that they can block off a section of rooms for students and parents that want to stay the night and offer it at a discount price. The hotel will often offer a food package as well, so you can provide guests with lodging, dinner and a comfortable banquet room.
Speakers
Speakers are important for a senior banquet because they talk about the school, announce the graduates and declare the award winners. If you are working with a small budget, ask the principal or dean and a few teachers to give the speeches and make the announcements. A popular practice for senior banquets that have a large amount of funding is to ask a former student who has had a major, recognizable accomplishment to come to the ceremony and give some of the speeches.
Keepsakes
A small piece of memorabilia is can be a parting gift for the senior attendants. Put together a DVD of pictures of the senior class and candid shots of students throughout the year. A key chain with the school's emblem and the graduating year is another option. Any keepsake that represents the school and helps the student remember her days there is sufficient.
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