Portsmouth Lands $2,000 Post-Prom Party Grant

Safe post-prom festivities in Portsmouth get a $2,000 boost this year after landing first in the first-ever Purple and Proud Post Prom Award program.

The Purple Project is an initiative of the nonprofit Herren Project, established by former NBA basketball player Chris Herren to help people and families struggling with addiction.

This year was the first year of the Purple and Proud Post Prom Grant to promote safe and substance free after prom parties and events and the winners were announced on Friday.

Of the numerous applications for grants, Portsmouth came in first thanks to the ongoing work of parents and the school community who host a successful post-prom event that is attended by the vast majority of the senior class.

The evening has raffles for increasingly-valuable prizes and a grand prize drawing at 4 a.m., motivating students to stay to the end since you have to be there to get your prize.

There's plenty to do at the party too and the effort is a collaborative between parents, the school, the senior class and area businesses who help with amenities and refreshments in addition to the prizes.

This year marks the 17th annual post-prom party held at the BPOE Elks Lodge in Newport.

Last year, 98 percent of the senior class attended the Post Prom Party.

THe Herron Project announced the winners on its Facebook page.