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High
school seniors prepare for goodbyes
By
Glypie Grider
Staff Writer
Project Graduation
tends to be bittersweet. It marks the end of high school graduation
– -a celebration of 13 years of hard work, a time to finally
relax – and the beginning of something new – maybe
college, a job, or both.
“I am very nervous, but anxious at the same time,”
admitted graduating high school senior Lauren Wooten. “I
am sad that the first chapter of my life is over but ready for
the second chapter to begin.”
After graduating from Owen County High School, Wooten will head
to Morehead State University in the fall to pursue a psychology
degree.
But Wooten must say goodbye to many of her classmates and friends
before she goes, and Project Graduation may be the last time she
will see some of them.
“I think that the seniors are excited and disheartened because
this might be the last time we will all be together at the same
place,” Wooten said.
The history
of Project Graduation
The idea of all-night, chemical-free graduation partes is not
new.
Oregon high schools have sponsored such parties for graduating
seniors for 50 years.
The name “Project Graduation” was coined 20 years
ago by planners in Maine, where 18 people had died during two
graduation seasons due to alcohol-related crashes.
Maine’s first Project Graduation was such a success that
high schools throughout the state adopted similar programs, and
“Project Graduation” became a generic name for the
chemical-free graduation parties that have started a new tradition
— celebrating safely.
Source: Office of Substance Abuse Information & Resource Center,
Prevention Division
Hours after the Class of 2007 turn their tassels and toss their
caps in the high school gymnasium on Saturday, most will get on
buses and head to the Sports of All Sorts facility in nothern
Kentucky. Games, food, shared memories and laughs will last long
into the night, as buses are scheduled to return to the school
at 6 a.m. Sunday. Parents and faculty will chaperone and celebrate
the event too.. But missing from the night-long party is alcohol.
“Most of the students killed in drunk-driving accidents
occur on graduation night rather than prom night,” said
Pat Gibson, director of the Youth Services Center and overseer
of a grant that provides drug and alcohol-free prevention and
education. “I think [Project Graduation] is great way to
keep the kids safe on graduation night and provide fun for them
at the same time.”
Lauren’s mother, Carol, agreed. “Many parents sponsor
project graduation events with limited support from the schools
because the goal is to provide a drug- and alcohol free environment
where the kids can celebrate their graduation,” she said.
Carol presided over this year’s project graduation committee,
helping coordinate fund-raisers, meetings and events throughout
the school year. “Picking the place was the easiest part,”
she said. “Planning, organizing, and running the fund-raisers
is the most time consuming.”
The most support for the eight-hour event came from local businesses
and churches, Wooten said. Gibson usually helps supply cameras
and sometimes bags and other gifts depending on what funds are
available. Shannon Treece, Assistant Principal at OCHS, supplied
shirts with funds from a grant the school received.
But the heart of the project is the parents of the seniors, Wooten
said.
“Unfortunately, only about 25 percent of the parents actively
participate in the fund-raisers, which makes the burden for those
who do help heavier,” Wooten said.
“If I could pass on any advice to the parents of upcoming
seniors, it would be to play an active role in any and all of
the senior year activities,” she added. “Don’t
wait to be asked to help. Call someone and see when the meetings
are, and what you can do. It is hard work, but so is anything
that makes a difference. Cherish this time, and share it with
your child.” |
