Senior Anne Mackin isn’t thinking about graduation just yet, so when an invitation for a post-commencement tradition showed up in her Facebook newsfeed, she was taken by surprise.

The invitation was for the 2014 senior boat party, an event not affiliated with St. Thomas, but historically, a tradition for Tommie seniors in May.

“Initially, I was really confused and kind of aggravated because I didn’t understand why I had to pay so early,” Mackin said.

Seniors Mitch Mandel, Amy Bauzenberger and Paige Norris decided to take on planning the event, which is set for May 26, 2014. They sent Facebook invitations out in mid-September because they expect a high demand for party tickets this year.

“I think it’s a general misconception that people need to buy their tickets right now. Like there’s a panic about it … there’s enough (Pourhouse) tickets for every senior,” Mandel said.

Two ticket options are available- an all-inclusive ticket for $68, which includes a boat boarding pass, and a $48 ticket to attend just the Pourhouse event after the boat ride. There will be refunds for extenuating circumstances.

Although some seniors said they were puzzled by the early invitation, the trio said 75 people have already purchased tickets.

“We wanted to make sure that we gave everybody enough time to plan if they had to save up money from their jobs, buy a ticket or talk to their families because they will be coming into town for graduation,” Bauzenberger said.

Senior Lesley Salz is one senior who already has her ticket.

“Well to be honest, it’s nice to know that someone is on top of things,” Salz said. “It is hard because I don’t know what I’m even doing for spring break, so it’s pretty far in advance.”

Both Mackin and Senior Ryan Zeilinger said they plan on attending, but neither know exactly when they’ll be ready to commit. Salz said she already bought her ticket because when the end of the year rolls around, she will be happy to have already paid the expense.

Zeilinger said he can understand the need for advanced planning.

“It seems a bit early to start planning, but to organize something with 600 available spots, a heads up is necessary,” Zeilinger said.

Mandel said early planning is necessary and noted, “The longer we wait, someone could buy out the boats. Someone else could buy out the Pourhouse.”

Joey Anderson can be reached at ande9008@stthomas.edu.