Project Graduation, created in 1980 (adopted by SPASH in 1987) funded by the school and other local businesses who are willing to donate, is a way to bring seniors together to spend their night having fun with activities rather than risky behaviors with alcohol and drugs. Being held at multiple schools within all 50 states, Project Graduation is sure to have an activity to suit your desire.
The history of Project Grad is unfortunate, but the program has become “… a way to prevent the tragedies that Oxford Hills experienced in 1979, when 7 teens died due to alcohol and other drug related activity after graduation commencement…” (Westlake High School PTO). Project Graduation is there to protect you one last time, not to hold you in school for the last time.
Project Graduation is a great event to have fun with your highschool friends one last time and it can most definitely be the last so how else would you spend it? Safe and without drinks nor drugs. Project Graduation has so many activities, according to SPASH’s Principal Jon Vollendorf “Things that are really consistent are the hypnotist, SPASH idol, and the casino.” There are more events than these but these are just the most popular. With events like these it brings down alcohol and drug related accidents in minors down by quite a lot, “Strategies the government has come up with are making new laws which are working very well by lowering the amount of drunk driving deaths, 35% nationally and 70% of those under 21.” (Underage Drinking). There are many events and a sight worth seeing.
Project Graduation has also added many other things from student suggestions in the past that they may not have today, they’ve had bungee jumping one year, and they set up gaming consoles in the fieldhouse if you are more of a gaming type of person. Project Grad is open to suggestions, to join and to implement your ideas, join the community and volunteer by contacting the school, though most of their activities are determined by their budget.
The benefits of this event and how helpful it really is, “I don’t really see any negatives from it, I only see positives; for one it’s safe– we usually get 80-85% of the class to attend. It’s a safe chemical free environment, they are going around having fun but not using drugs.” (Vollendorf). It’s a safe environment for all students, they even take safety measures for each student and make sure to keep track of each student so that they aren’t missing “No student will be allowed to leave the premises during the event (even if they are 18 years of age) without a phone call notifying a parent/guardian.” (Stevens Point Area Senior High [about Project Grad]) students will not be allowed back in if you do leave the premises as another safety precaution as students could bring in inappropriate belongings for school grounds.
Project Graduation is an event worth going to, as it could be the last time you see your highschool friends, or maybe any other students from SPASH. Students who are underclassmen are able to help set up for Project Grad by contacting the school, and it gives them sneak peeks of what’s coming up for them. It’s a once in a lifetime event, literally, and it would be a big regret to miss it, take a break and walk through the halls and walls of your school one last time, you won’t be able to get it back.