First fundraiser of the season to benefit class of 2007

| 29 Sep 2011 | 10:14

    Sparta - Although June is months away the volunteers for Project Graduation are looking ahead. In order to raise enough money to take all of the 2007 graduates on an exciting post-graduation excursion, the parents need to start now on their fund raising efforts. A holiday sale which includes new clothes, book and various gift items will be held in the Sparta High School cafeteris on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The items for sale are obtained directly form suppliers so they can be sold at discounted prices. Project Graduation began in 1979 in the Oxford Hills area of Maine following seven alcohol related fatalities during the graduation season. As a result of these tragedies the schools and the communities created a safe and fun way for seniors to celebrate the night of graduation, which soon spread throughout the state of Maine, and attracted attention of other states. By 1986 Project Graduation activities were held in all 50 states. Sparta High School’s first participating year in the event was 1988. Since the parties began in New Jersey in 1985, no student from a participating high school has been involved in any fatal motor vehicle accident on the night of the event. Project Graduation is a post-graduation ceremony, alcohol and drug free that typcially runs all night, allowing the graudates to have fun while remaining safe. The parties involve schools, parents, police, and community and business leaders who organize the event and raise funds so the kids can have a good time while being supervised. The Project Graduation steering committee in Sparta consists of parents and members of the community volunteering their time to plan the events of the evening, fund raise, and chaperone the event. Immediately following the graduation ceremony and a reception for all attending the ceremony, the participating graduates will board buses, and be taken to Mendham Racquet Center. Graduates will have full use of the pool, jacuzzi, tennis, volleyball, and basketball facilities, while enjoying continuous food, games, prizes, music and entertainment throughout the evening. “The entire night has grown significantly since I was first involved,” said Lorie Laws, committee member. “The size of the graduating classes have increased from 200 to 275. We’ve also expanded the event to include many more activities aimed to appeal to the greater number of students.” Past events have cost approximately $60.00 per student. Fundraising and donations have allowed the group to keep the cost reasonable. “To put an evening like this together, we need dollars and a lot of extra hands,” said Laws. “We would like to ensure that every graduate has the opportunity to attend Project Graduation.”