
How it all started...
In 1955, Mr. Green -a movie studio executive and San Marino resident - conceived the first Grad Night following a tragic accident on Prom Night. He wanted to give his daughter and the entire graduating class a lavish and safe all-night celebration of dining and entertainment. Under his direction, the first Grad Night was designed by Joel Schiller, who continued to design the sets for 37 years, each year with a different theme chosen by the graduating seniors. Since 1993, the Grad Night sets have been created by several SMHS alumni, and since 2007, Art Aguirre has been designing the sets.
This treasured tradition has continued through the generous support of SMHS parents, community members, and local businesses and organizations. Each year, over 220 volunteers have devoted thousands of hours to Grad Night by way of planning, fundraising, construction, painting, and staffing.
SMHS Grad Night is steeped with several traditions including much of the format, such as a sit-down dinner served by Junior dads, unlimited food throughout the night, a DJ, dancing, gaming, and activities such as a hypnotist and magician. Since many in our community are also SMHS alumni, Grad Night continues to be a special legacy passed on to each graduating class and is truly one of the most memorable moments amongst all alumni.
This year there are 193 seniors. After the Graduation ceremony, the seniors will arrive in their Graduation attire and proceed to the large gym for dinner. After dinner and the entertainment, the seniors will change clothes for the rest of the night and enjoy the casino, and games, and submit their raffle tickets for prizes. The event will conclude at 5:00 am.
STUDIO GHIBLI
San Marino High School has had a long tradition of providing an outstanding Grad Night event for its graduating seniors since 1955. The parents and community come together each year to design, construct, and host an unforgettable all-night extravaganza that includes dinner, games, entertainment, and fabulous prizes. This event can only be possible with your financial support, as it is solely funded by the class of 2022 families, and other community members.
On Friday, May 26, 2023, the celebration will begin with a formal graduation ceremony, then seamlessly flow into a night that no senior will forget when they enter the World of Studio Ghibli. We hope that you will allow us to sustain this wonderful tradition by donating and becoming a Patron of Grad Night. The single ticket price will not cover all of our costs, so we are asking for your generous, financial support as soon as possible. Reserved VIP graduation seating and parking is limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.
SMHS Grad Night - Friday, May 26, 2023 – Studio Ghibli!
Be a part of a 68-year San Marino High School Tradition, and help us hold a memorable and safe all-night party for our Class of 2023 graduating seniors! Our seniors will celebrate an amazing night together as graduated SMHS Titans, and have an evening of dinner, dancing, games, and entertainment!
Consider becoming a patron today! Please support the Class of 2023’s Grad Night as these valuable funds help create a night the students will never forget!
We Need You!
be a part of Grad night!

Painting and Building for Grad Night will officially begin on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at Wells Fargo Bank. We will be there every Wednesday and Saturday from 9-3. We need your help. This is a fun way to get to know other parents and get involved in Grad Night and see how it all comes together. Lunch is provided for all the volunteers. Get a friend to come with you and help us to create the magic of Grad Night!


Past Grad Night Themes
1956 - Carnival Francois
1957 - Caribbean Cruise
1958 - Sayonara
1959 - Mardi Gras
1960 - Arabian Nights
1961 - A Night in Venice
1962 - Gone with the Wind
1963 - Manhattan Nights
1964 - Old San Francisco
1965 - Around the World In 80 days
1966 - Holiday in Bermuda
1967 - Bella Roma
1968 - Parisian Fantasy
1969 - Camelot
1970 - Mardi Gras
1971 - Hawaiian Luau
1972 - London Tower
1973 - Alice in Wonderland
1974 - Enchanted Forest
1975 - Neptune Fantasy
1976 - Wizard of Oz
1977 - Willy Wonka
1978 - Peter Pan
1979 - The Cat in the Hat
1980 - Roaring Twenties
1981 - The Old West
1982 - South Pacific
1983 - Camelot
1984 - Evening in Paris
1985 - Venice
1986 - Mardi Gras
1987 - Atlantic-The Lost City
1988 - Manhattan Magic
1989 - A Night on the Nile
1990 - Pirates of the Caribbean
1991 - Medieval Nights
1992 - Splendor of Rome
1993 - A Night at the Movies
1994 - 1001 Arabian Nights
1995 - South Seas
1996 - Moonlight in Venice
1997 - Star Port '97
1998 - Peter Pan
1999 - Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
2000 - Alice in Wonderland
2001 - Mardi Gras
2002 - Dr. Seuss - Cat in the Hat
2003 - Jack in the Beanstalk
2004 - Studio 54
2005 - Pirates of the Caribbean
2006 - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
2007 - 007 - James Bond
2008 - Harry Potter
2009 - The Adventures of Indiana Jones
2010 - Star Wars
2011 - UP!
2012 - Las Vegas Nights
2013 - Toy Story
2014 - The Great Gatsby
2015 - Monsters University
2016 - Jurassic Park
2017 - Monopoly
2018 - Passport Around the World
2019 - The Magical World of Harry Potter
2020 - Finding Nemo
2021 - Circus
2022 - Marvel Universe