Movie Night a Success

 
November 2005

One dollar can’t buy a lot these days. It could buy half a gallon of gas, some fast food off McDonald’s dollar menu, or a seventh of a movie ticket at Emagine. But thanks to drug forfeiture money (from one of the biggest drug busts in state history) the Novi Police Department received, a dollar went a lot further on Thursday November 10^th.  

From 9 PM Thursday to 9 AM Friday, roughly 500 Novi High School students, for $1, got to watch all the movies they wanted, and then some. The event took place at Emagine Theatres in Fountain Walk at 12 mile and Novi roads.  

The night, meant to encourage students to have good, “clean” fun, was undoubtedly a success. Movies such as Chicken Little, Batman Begins, Zoro, Fog and Flight Plan played in numerous theatres throughout the night as students enjoyed the night before a day off (the next day, Friday, was a staff development day). 

Drug education was also an integral part of the night. Police officers gave talks to the students about the perils of substance abuse and showcased their “K-9” unit’s capabilities (The K-9 unit is a group, which uses dogs to sniff for drugs, bombs and other contraband).

With all those teenagers locked in a movie theatre for twelve hours, a lot of food was needed. Popcorn and pop were free all night, and there were plenty of caterers. Little Caesars provided pizza, Subway offered subs, and Kellogg’s sponsored the breakfast the students had in the morning.  

The good experience, for a cheap price, added up to lots of fun, and even a large donation to a good cause: the approximately $1,000 raised by the night went to Novi Youth Assistance, a program used to give teenaged kids something constructive to do. 

The night also led to more than a few sleepy kids. Most spent their entire Friday asleep, waking up around 4 or 5 in the afternoon. If the talks by police didn’t discourage kids from substance abuse, at least Friday they were too tired to do anything unsavory!