Niles New Tech Entrepreneurial Academy held a big social event recently — a lock-in.

Learners started arriving at the school at 7 p.m. to get the building ready. There was a chill room, a videogame room, a movie room and more. The main point was to stay awake from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. All the learners were excited the week before the lock-in, and the buzz was all about who was going and what sport tournaments they would be involved in.

“I think the best part was seeing my friends outside of school and meeting new people. You don’t always talk to everyone in class, but when you’re at things like the lock-in, new opportunities open up. I’m definitely looking forward to going to the New Tech lock in every year until I graduate,” a learner told me.

Parents were at ease because the lock-in provided a safe, pressure-free atmosphere where their children could have still have fun.

The Learner Voice, a student-led group, was trying to raise money for a charitable cause, and they wanted to make it a night to remember at the same time.

The favorite activity was the sport competitions. Learners could compete in volleyball, basketball and dodgeball. The other learners, that aren’t so sporty, could compete in “Call Of Duty” tournaments, watch movies and play games like “Are You A Werewolf?” all night.

Although a few stragglers couldn’t quite keep themselves awake (myself included), most learners were up and very energetic all night long. Pop, candy, pizza and chips were sold to the hungry learners. The lock-in was definitely a success, and not a single person left without a smile on their face.

All proceeds from the lock-in will go to an undetermined charity.