Funds needed for safe graduation
Published May 15th, 2008
By Nicol Jenkins
Special to the News
High school graduation night is the most celebratory and at the same time can be the deadliest.
Statistics show that graduation night has the highest fatality rate for drunk driving accidents.
Administrators at Boca Raton high schools say they want to ensure that graduates remain safe during the celebration. Each year, the local high schools host an all- night party called Project Graduation. Graduates stay on campus or at a nearby location all night under the supervision of school staff and parent volunteers. Students participate in various non-alcohol related activities including playing blackjack in the casino, watching hypnotists, and getting pictures taken with friends and teachers. Each school also raffles off prizes, many which graduates can use for college.
But this year, organizers say funding is tight for the event, which costs anywhere from $40,000 to $45,000.
More Work
“It has definitely been a lot more work on our end trying to drum up prizes this year. We have had a lot of out of pocket expenses,” said Amy Winger-Frances, Chair member for Project Graduation at Boca Raton Community High School.
“It benefits the community as a whole by keeping these kids off the street. It’s going to be a great event for what we put together this year, but we are still fundraising to make things happen.”
For 21 years, Boca Raton High School has been hosting Project Graduation on its campus and will once again May 17 from 10 p.m. till 5 a.m. with a deejay, prizes, a casino, and other activities.
“Statistics show that graduation night should be the happiest night of a student’s educational experience but was the most dangerous night. Our goal is to keep that from being the case, and it has served its purpose. Project Graduation has generated the energy to keep our kids safe and has become a special night for seniors to be together for one last time,” said Boca High principal Geoff McKee.
McKee says the school is still accepting cash or prize donations for the celebration. “Anyone who has something that would serve the student well in college and can donate it to our school would be great.”
Creative Banking
Olympic Heights Community High School is also seeking assistance in funding and prizes for Project Graduation.
The celebration will take place at Boomers May 17 from 11:30 p.m. till 5:30 a.m. and offer prizes, a casino, and a hypnotist. Parents got creative and had students sign up for checking accounts at Sun Trust bank and then the bank in return gave $100 to those students. The students then donated that $100 to Project Graduation.
In addition, monetary donations of $250 or more will be recognized by displaying the names of the donors on the display board on Lyons Rd. in front of the school.
“Very few places have been willing to donate prizes to us this year. That’s why we’ve had to buy everything,” said parent committee member Linda Cochran. “It’s the deadliest night for this age group, and this stops them from drinking and driving.”
Olympic Heights principal Pete Licata credits fundraising efforts to a team of dedicated parents.
“The parents have done a great job and really made a difference. The parents are the unsung heroes of our seniors,” said Licata. “And we have had no tragedies.”
Spanish River High School organizers say they have also had difficulties with fundraising this year. Volunteers have called every parent and asked for donations of $20.08.
Fill Gap
“The donations from local businesses have been much harder to come by. Parents had to step up and fill in the gap,” said Suzan Goldstein, Chairperson for Project Graduation at Spanish River. The event will take place on campus May 18 from 10 p.m. till 5 a.m. complete with a NASCAR theme, casino, and prizes, among other surprises. Some 20 years ago, then- principal and now Palm Beach County School District Superintendent Dr. Art Johnson started Project Graduation at Spanish River after some students passed away from a car accident, according to Goldstein.
“Art Johnson heard about it through Mothers Against Drunk Driving and started the project here and it has continued ever since. Our goal is to save lives and keep students from party hopping,” she said.
West Boca Raton High School is also seeking fundraising for the event. The Project Graduation celebration will be held the night of graduation May 16 from 10 p.m. till the next morning on campus and offer various activities such as a deejay, games, a bounce house, food, and giveaways for college.
“It’s the last time the senior class will get together and it’s a lot of fun,” said West Boca High principal Fran Giblin. “Thanks to the parents we were able to have the event. They have raised all the money.”
Giblin added, “It’s a dangerous night and this allows them to participate in an organized activity and have fun at the same time.”
You can contribute as follows:
- Spanish River High School, contact Suzan Goldstein at 561-989-5304 or sg4family@aol.com.
Former Boca Raton News staff writer Nicol Jenkins is now editor of Our Town News located in Coral Springs. Our Town News is a sister publication with the Boca Raton News, both part of the South Florida Media Group. Contact Nicol at press@southfloridamediagroup.com.
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