Dine & Shine Prom Night Sweepstakes Promotes Prom Safety Across North Carolina
The Talk it Out NC Dine & Shine Prom Night Sweepstakes was a sparkling success across North Carolina. To help promote safe prom celebrations, start the conversation, and prevent underage drinking, the Dine & Shine Prom Night Sweepstakes whisked promgoers off in a stylish limo and provided a dinner certificate for the winners to a local restaurant of their choice.
Six high school students from across North Carolina were randomly chosen to enjoy this exciting prom experience. They not only got a safe ride to and from prom, but their friends did as well! Talk it Out NC rolled out the red carpet as students took the Pledge to avoid underage drinking.
The statewide winners of the 2024 Dine & Shine Prom Night Sweepstakes are:
- Tracey Calhoun, Sanderson High School, Raleigh, N.C.
- Aubrey Turner,H. Conley High School, Greenville, N.C.
- Trayson Akbar, Asheville High School, Asheville, N.C.
- Emerie Hilton, East Forsyth High School, Kernersville, N.C.
- Emma Davis, Mallard Creek High School, Charlotte, N.C.
- Ja’Rya Harper, New Hanover High School, Wilmington, N.C.
The Sweepstakes helped further Talk it Out’s mission by promoting positive, safe, and sober prom experiences and spreading the word about the importance of preventing underage drinking. Media outlets around the state aired stories about Talk it Out NC’s exciting Dine & Shine Prom Night Sweepstakes.
Rallying Underage Drinking Prevention in Raleigh
Raleigh was the first prom celebration of the Dine & Shine Prom Night Sweepstakes. Tracey Calhoun and her friends dressed to the nines to match their limo ride to prom.
Talk it Out NC Ambassador Dr. Wanda Boone encouraged the group to Take the Pledge to avoid underage drinking during prom and all year long. By sharing their story with media outlets, the teens helped spread Talk it Out NC’s positive message of making safe and responsible choices about alcohol.
WATCH: CBS-17 Shares Talk it Out NC’s Mission
Getting the Word Out in Greenville
WITN-TV in Greenville shared the importance of preventing underage drinking and promoted the Dine & Shine Prom Night Sweepstakes. Aubrey Turner from D.H. Conley High School won a luxurious ride to prom and took four friends along with her.
WITN also shared Talk it Out NC’s tips for parents during prom season:
- Talk about alcohol: Have honest conversations about the dangers of underage drinking and ask open-ended questions for age-appropriate conversations.
- Discuss emotions: Talking to teens about their feelings can help them understand how to regulate difficult emotions instead of turning to substances later in life.
- Use the Text “X” Plan: Teens who find themselves in uncomfortable situations can text “X” to their parents for an immediate pickup with no questions asked.
WATCH: Talk it Out NC Helps Inspire Teens to Celebrate Safely on WITN
Dining and Shining in Asheville
In Asheville, our Dine & Shine Prom Night Sweepstakes winner, Trayson Akbar, shined with a glamorous ride to prom! He and his date matched in glitzy red ensembles. Talk it Out NC Ambassador Joe Marks talked to the teens about the dangers of underage drinking and then sent them off in style.
Sharing Safe Rides in Charlotte
Emma Davis and her friend headed to prom with a safe ride and a promise not to drink alcohol before age 21. The two ladies also received an inspirational talk from Talk it Out NC Ambassador Tyran Walker. After walking the red carpet and signing the Pledge, the teens were able to enjoy a fun and safe prom!
Keeping the Conversation Going in Kernersville
Our Dine & Shine Prom Night Sweepstakes winner in Kernersville, Emerie Hilton, walked the red carpet with her date to head to prom in a stylish white limo. The pair was all smiles as Talk it Out NC Ambassador Rodney Poole spoke about the importance of abstaining from underage drinking. After signing the Pledge, they were off to enjoy the night safely!
Waiting Until 21 in Wilmington
Ja’Rya Harper of New Hanover High School was our Dine & Shine Prom Night Sweepstakes winner in Wilmington! Ja’Rya brought along two friends, and together they spread the word about refraining from drinking alcohol before age 21. After all three promgoers signed the Pledge, they stylishly walked down the red carpet and into their limo ride for the evening!
Talk it Out NC Ambassador Tamra Church explained the importance of preventing underage drinking to the group. “We know that two in five high school students are drinking out there, and we’re here to show that tonight, at least three of them are not doing so and are going to remember their prom night,” said Church.
Learn More About Talk it Out NC
The Talk it Out NC Dine & Shine Prom Night Sweepstakes was a stunning success. We were able to spread the word about underage drinking prevention across the state and encourage teens to stay sober — all while dressed to impress, enjoying a delicious dinner, and receiving a stylish ride for the evening!
During prom and all year long, it’s important for teens to avoid the harmful effects of underage drinking. To learn more about Talk it Out NC, check out our education and resources page.
