Mat-Su Career Tech students ‘Locked In’

MAT-SU — Two weeks ago, about 130 Mat-Su Career and Technical High School students voluntarily paid $15 to spend 12 hours at school.

Well, why wouldn’t they? Especially when they had the chance to listen to music, watch movies, dance, have a Nerf war and play anything from video games to dodge ball all night long, whenever they wanted?

The night wasn’t just about entertainment, though. Food happened to be a considerable factor as well. Career Tech’s student government provided pizza for dinner and donuts for breakfast. A concession stand stocked with drinks and snacks was also open for students who needed something to keep their brains going through the hours they usually would’ve spent sleeping.

Paula Verplancke, Kathy Kern, Zach Lanphier, Jeffrey Parsons, Patricia Zugg, Barbara Petukh and Mark Okeson all dedicated some of their time to make sure the students didn’t get too crazy. Parents fearlessly volunteered as well, along with the local Army recruiting team, which brought along a blow-up basketball for the more competitive students to play.

By the time 6 o’clock the next morning rolled around, the students and chaperones had plenty of memories to share from their “caffeine-fueled night” of “good-old-fashioned fun,” as one student government officer put it. Now in its second year, student government has planned on making this event an annual one. And why not? With so much fun to be had, there aren’t enough reasons not to.

Want to see video and photos from the nightlong festivities, or even check out what else Career Tech’s student government has been up to? A Facebook page has been dedicated to all things “Techie,” under the name Mat-Su Career and Technical High School.

Anita Laulainen is a public relations officer for student government at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School.