After months of college exploration and four years of late night study sessions, your student is graduating high school!
Graduation parties are the last big hurrah before your student goes away to college, so here is a quick list of easy ideas to make your graduation party the biggest and best Kent State University-themed party of the summer.
Future Flash Photo Wall
Set up a space for selfies complete with a DIY giant photo frame. This space can feature a dark blue or gold backdrop, complete with a balloon arch or garland to give it that extra pop. Fun props like oversized sunglasses and goofy hats can also be added.
As for the photo frame, you can use material as easy as foam board or as sturdy as plywood. Once the frame is put together, paint it blue and gold with "#FutureFlashes" on the front. There are plenty of online guides to help you create the perfect photo frame, such as this one here.
Remember, if your party isn't posted on social media, did it actually happen?
Decor, Accents and Detail
It's all about the accents and details in creating the ultimate party atmosphere! Start with necessities, such as blue and gold table runners or cloths, plates, cutlery, napkins and cups. Decorate your tables with accents, such as:
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Sprinkling lightning bolt-shaped confetti
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Placing blue and gold festive table toppers
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Print out Kent State logos to tape onto wooden dowels to use as decoration in any flower or jar arrangement, as shown here!
Kent State-Themed Treats
Now for the delicious part: there are endless ways to transform goodies into Kent State-themed treats. You can simply:
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Make cupcakes with blue frosting and gold sprinkles
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Order a Kent State-themed cake from a local bakery
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Dip pretzels in white chocolate and decorate with blue and gold or lightning bolt sprinkles
You can even fill mason jars with assorted blue and gold candies to place as accents on your tables. Or keep it simple with blue and gold rock candy sticks, ice pops or lollies. Lastly, keep your guests cool with large self-serve drink dispensers — one filled with blue punch and one filled with lemonade!
Interactive Activities
What's a party without games and activities? Set up a memory-centered activity for your student to reflect on when they feel homesick. Have guests sign a board featuring photos of your student's memories over the last few years. Your student can use this as decoration in their residence hall! Or have guests write down a favorite memory and placing it in a memory jar, or even jotting down in an open journal any words of wisdom for your student to take to college.
As for games, host Kent State trivia with a KSU-themed prize, or set up a simple volleyball net or cornhole to keep the kids entertained.
Have Flash Himself Crash the Party
Did you know you can request our beloved mascot Flash to join in on the festivities? By filling out a request form through Kent State Athletics, you can request an appearance of everyone's favorite Golden Eagle and truly have the ultimate Kent State party to remember!