Project Graduation is a nationally recognized program aimed at saving lives and keeping high school seniors safe on graduation night by raising awareness of the dangers of drinking, using drugs and driving.
Polled high school seniors admit they were 79 percent more likely to drink on graduation night than any other night, so it’s no shock that the number of auto crashes spikes after graduations. Project Graduation is designed to save the lives of graduating seniors.
One statistic in West Shore High School’s favor is that 95 percent of the graduating seniors attend Project Graduation with their peers in an all-night celebration. Funds raised from events like the Golfing with Grads Tournament pays for the party.
Parents, students, volunteers, staff and administration alike joined forces on Saturday morning to raise funds for West Shore High School Project Graduation Golfing for Grads Fundraiser at Baytree National Golf Links in Melbourne. Participating golfers braved the threat of rain to show their support for Project Graduation 2020, an organization devoted to ensuring graduating high school seniors have a safe, drug and alcohol-free activity to attend on graduation night.
After 18 holes of golf, teams and individual participants were awarded prizes as well as a lunch. Tournament participants also received a return round of golf at Baytree as part of their package.
Graduation events are typically held at entertainment locations such as Andretti’s Thrill Park or Urban Air, an indoor trampoline center. Graduates arrive around 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. and are encouraged to stay until 5 a.m. giving students the opportunity to stay out all night like their peers do.
Project Graduation 2020 is run primarily through parental involvement. Parents begin fundraising early in the school year to acquire enough to host an event which is engaging and entertaining enough students will want to attend. The goal is to create a fun atmosphere to show students they don’t need to use drugs or drink alcohol to have a good time.
Golf tournament organizers and volunteers Lynn Pekmezian, Katia Dubec-Hunter and Lori Townsend hoped to raise enough money to make Project Graduation accessible and fun for all this year.
If you would like more information on West Short High School Project Graduation 2020, please email wildcatpg@gmail.com or visit www.brevardschools.org.
Article by Kellie Landi, correspondent