June 24, 2004

Volunteer of the Week: Joan Cooper and
Mary Maassen

By Miranda Schultz
Staff Writer

Leland High School and Pioneer High School recently held successful Grad Nite’s, which came off without a hitch and were lots of fun thanks to their respective school’s chairwomen. Mary Maassen of Leland and Joan Cooper of Pioneer spearheaded the plans so their seniors could bid a final, safe (sober) farewell to one another.

This year was Cooper’s second year organizing Grad Nite. About 200 Pioneer seniors attended a Hornblower Cruise on the bay on June 15, from 12 a.m. to 3 a.m.

“We’ve done that for a number of years now. We like it because it involves very little driving and when they get there, they’re basically contained,” says a laughing Cooper.

Pioneer seniors enjoyed gambling tables, in which they were given chips that could be redeemed for prizes. A DJ and caricature artists were also present.

Cooper had a senior graduate last year, and one that will graduate next year. She was the PTA president for Pioneer this past year and will act as the PTA president for the district next year.

“I really like high school, working with the seniors as they are becoming young adults is a lot of fun. It’s so much fun that it’s almost no work at all. The kids make it fun. There are a lot of volunteer opportunities available since there is less and less funding,” says Cooper.

Cooper says that most of the work for Grad Nite was done by the seniors. “I just wrote the big checks and worked with the vendors,” she said.

Maassen has been working on the Grad Nite committee since 2001, and has acted as chair for two of those years. Although her children have already graduated from Leland, Maassen sees a need for volunteers and offers her valuable talents to fill that need.

“I’ve been involved at my kid’s schools since they started. I started with Graystone Elementary. I see myself as more of a group worker, but I’ll take the leadership role when no one wants it,” says Maassen.

Leland’s seniors enjoyed a night of fun at Boomers in Livermore. About 270 students checked in at Leland on June 16 and rode busses to their destination. There, they enjoyed gaming tables, where like Pioneer, they received chips they could redeem for prizes. They also had caricature and henna tattoo artists available.

Maassen calls the Grad Night volunteers part of the “Up All Night” club, since it takes about two-dozen chaperones for the event. Cooper says that Pioneer has lots of young teachers. “They can do that sort of thing,” she laughs, “so not too many parents have to chaperone.”

“It’s nice to see all of the kids getting along,” says Cooper. “Especially when you’ve known them since they were five. Getting to see them getting ready for college, to see what they’ve become so far is just wonderful.”