Project Graduation

Each year for about the past two decades, graduating seniors at Jessamine County high schools have been going to an all-night party hosted by a committee of parents in the community. The event, Project Graduation, is designed to provide the students the opportunity to have fun playing games and hanging out with their friends after graduation in a safe environment. While the event is free to the seniors (and only $25 for guests of the seniors), Project Graduation costs thousands of dollars to put on each year.

More than 200 graduates and their guests were present for Project Graduation, an all-night activity. Doors closed at midnight, and breakfast and prizes were served at about 5:30 a.m. Activities included music and karaoke in the foyer by DJ Lynn Toler, a giant slide, velcro wall, mechanical bull, basketball games and bungee cord races in the gym, casino games and food in the cafeteria, movies in the auditorium, a rock climbing wall out front, and...

Plans for the 2012 Project Graduation at George Rogers Clark High School are under way, and organizers are seeking help from the community. “The big thing now is trying to get enough (money) to set up all the activities for them,” senior adviser Nancy Wills said. The Project Graduation committee has approximately $3,800 but an additional $11,000 still is needed to stage the event on the same scale as in years past. “We wanted to start early this year to try to plan more for them to do. ... But we can't really do the planning unless we know how much we're going to have,” said Gordon Parido, father of senior Kelsie Parido and former GRC principal.

Each year, Project Graduation aims to keep George Rogers Clark High School students safe on graduation night by giving them a place to celebrate that is free of drugs and alcohol. But the festivities can't go on without community support, said Nancy Wills, a GRC teacher and coordinator of the event. Wills said community donations usually go toward purchasing games and prizes for students who attend. "Project Graduation would not be possible without the support of the community because they have been very generous monetarily, and also in the giving of items that we use as gifts throughout the night," she said.

Courtney Roe, above, tries to hang on while riding a mechanical bull during the George Rogers Clark High School Project Graduation. Project Graduation offered a safe alternative for seniors wanting to celebrate graduation Tuesday evening. At right, Mark Saporito, left, and Jim Mabe played a game of cornhole during the all night event. Photos submitted by Shanda Crosby

Project graduation meeting scheduled for Oct. 21 The next meeting for the 2011 project graduation will be held Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. in the East Jessamine High School library. The meeting is open to all parents of current juniors and seniors in the Jessamine County school district. The project graduation committees and volunteers provide a safe, sober and fun night for graduates. The event is put on entirely with donations and volunteers. To help with a donation or to volunteer, please contact Marcie Jones at smjones1@windstream.

PROJECT GRADUATION George Rogers Clark High School will hold Project Graduation for its seniors' parents at 7 p.m. Thursday at the school. STRODE STATION COUNCIL The Strode Station Elementary School site-based decision-making council will meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the school library to discuss the dress code. WINCHESTER KIWANIS The Winchester Kiwanis Club will meet at noon Wednesday at Taste of China on the Bypass. EXTENSION BOARD The Clark County Extension District Board will meet at 8:330 a.m. Friday at the extension office in the Winchester Industrial Park.

Dear Editor: It seems like just yesterday that I was a senior at Boyle County High School. Actually, it's been about 11 years, and I am already in my fifth year as an English teacher at BCHS. Consequently, I have realized that even though the school has made many wonderful advances and improvements, I can honestly say that some things haven't changed all that much. Taco Salad Thursdays are still everybody's favorite lunch days, Mr. Camic is still one of the "coolest" teachers, and seniors still look forward to Project Graduation.

Project Graduation meeting set Danville High School Project Graduation meeting will be 6:30 p.m. Monday in the school cafeteria. Patents and guardians of the 2007 graduating class are encouraged to attend; committee sign-ups will be held. Project Graduation is an all-night, drug- and alcohol-free celebration hosted by parents and the community. For more information, call Sherry or Johnny Raines at (859) 235-2209. Weight management class scheduled The next Health Management Resource Weight Management Program session begins 6:30 p.m Feb. 20 and will continue each Tuesday at that time.

Work scheduled for local roads Kentucky Highway 1927 will be closed between Combs Ferry Road and Becknerville Road from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday. L&E Junction Road will be closed April 2-5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily between Ecton Road and Schollsville Road. All work is scheduled on a tentative basis and is subject to change depending on weather conditions, emergencies and other factors beyond the control of the Department of Highways. Project Grad committee to meet There will be a Project Graduation meeting today at 5:30 p.m. at George Rogers Clark High School.

Some area residents are concerned that Danville High School and Boyle County High School are both having their graduations this year at 7 p.m. May 19, which could force some people to choose which relative's ceremony to attend. Unless inclement weather interferes, the last day of school for Danville students is May 11 and the last day of classes for Boyle County students is May 17. In Boyle County's case, it makes sense to hold the graduation ceremony on May 19, said Superintendent Mike LaFavers.

Plans for the 2012 Project Graduation at George Rogers Clark High School are under way, and organizers are seeking help from the community. “The big thing now is trying to get enough (money) to set up all the activities for them,” senior adviser Nancy Wills said. The Project Graduation committee has approximately $3,800 but an additional $11,000 still is needed to stage the event on the same scale as in years past. “We wanted to start early this year to try to plan more for them to do. ... But we can't really do the planning unless we know how much we're going to have,” said Gordon Parido, father of senior Kelsie Parido and former GRC principal.

With a graduating class of nearly 350 students, this weekend’s George Rogers Clark High School commencement will be one of the biggest celebrations of the year. In 2010, approximately two-thirds of the class spent graduation night at Clark County’s Project Graduation, playing games, bouncing on inflatables, singing karaoke and even riding a mechanical bull. “There was so much to do all the time. That was a lot of fun,” said senior Ethan Varner, who attended Project Graduation last year as a junior usher.

Each year for about the past two decades, graduating seniors at Jessamine County high schools have been going to an all-night party hosted by a committee of parents in the community. The event, Project Graduation, is designed to provide the students the opportunity to have fun playing games and hanging out with their friends after graduation in a safe environment. While the event is free to the seniors (and only $25 for guests of the seniors), Project Graduation costs thousands of dollars to put on each year.

Guitar to be raffled to raise money for Project Graduation A guitar signed by Nicholasville natives John Michael and Eddie Montgomery is being raffled to help raise funds for Project Graduation, a celebration for seniors graduating from the county’s three high schools — East, West and The Providence School. The annual event is a coordinated volunteer effort by parents, students, businesses, school, law-enforcement agencies and churches. The purpose is to offer an inviting, rewarding and exciting alternative to any drug or alcohol use by Jessamine County seniors on graduation night.

Dear Editor, On behalf of the parents of the Danville High School Class of 2010, we wish to extend our sincere appreciation to the entire Danville community for its support of this year’s Project Graduation. Despite the current economic situation, our caring community once again stepped up to help us provide a drug and alcohol-free party for our graduates. There is no way that Project Graduation would be possible if it were not for the very generous support of the many local businesses, churches and individual donors.