Project Graduation 2009

announcements

Spirit Night Parent Skit practice - Wednesday, Nov 12, 7pm – We will then plan to meet every evening next week at 7pm. Smaller groups can certainly meet more often if they want or need to.

[ NOTE: Due Friday, Nov 14: Baskets, or donations for the raffle baskets, are due by this Friday. Please drop off donations at the high school between 7-9pm at the Ticket Sales table, or deliver to Lynn Potvin's house. Anything can be made into baskets. You can also donate money and Lynn will purchase suitable items. Everything is appreciated! ]

Dress Rehearsal is next Thurs 11/20...time TBD.

If you are interested in helping out with Spirit Night and do not wish to be in the Parent Skit, please consider helping out at the event itself. There are all kinds of things to do...taking tickets, handing out programs, selling tickets, 50/50 raffle sales, set up, clean up, etc, etc...please let Lynn Potvin know if you can help. Thanks!!!!!

– Thanks, Kym Lynn

Please note the following DATES for Spirit Night! See you there!

Friday, November 21 and Saturday, November 22

Tickets will be on sale beginning Nov 3 until the show dates from 7-9pm each evening. $8 adults and $5 students and seniors. Remember, students in the show can purchase tickets for Friday's performance only. Thanks

Welcome!

Thank you for visiting the official website for MHS Project Graduation!

We are parents and guardians of high school seniors in Milton, Vermont. Many volunteers, countless hours, and the generosity of our community members and local businesses combine to provide a fabulous, wonderful, fantastic, awesome, and fun substance-free event, following graduation in June.

Now that you're here, feel free to look around and discover how you can help. Project Grad 2009 meets on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the MHS library. Please join us!

So What is This About?

The concept of Project Graduation started approximately twenty years ago in Maine, after seven students lost their lives on graduation night in an alcohol/drug-related accident.

Graduates often “party hop” in their efforts to celebrate with as many classmates as possible. Project Graduation is an all-night, substance-free celebration that provides a fun and safe alternative to party hopping.

This supervised event is for graduating seniors. It is the last social event of high school where the seniors can be with their classmates, have a great time and, most importantly, a safe night.

So, we begin as soon as one graduating class ends! That is to say, it is nearly a 12-month effort to plan, coordinate, and raise funds to make it all happen. We need *you*, too! There are many ways to help, from heading a committee to helping out at sporting events, to sharing your creative ideas. We have something for everyone. Donations are always welcome!!

Participation

First, it's all about our high school seniors, of course! This past year, we had 90 seniors at Project Grad, out of 124 total graduates. They could invite one guest, and many did – which brought the total to 137 participants. They were treated to a magician, a hypnotist, a caracature artist and tons of good food, snacks and beverages. We provided on-going activities such as the inflated obstacle course and boxing ring, Guitar Hero, Henna tattoos, and more! Then everyone departed for Burlington and a midnight cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allan. Following the cruise (and more food!) everyone was treated to bowling at Yankee Lanes. This might have been a plot to keep everyone awake. We returned to MHS, sleepy but happy, for a nice breakfast buffet and awards at around 5 am. Wow!

Second, it's all about family! Parents, guardians, family members – are all encouraged to help. We have tasks to fit every schedule – behind the scenes, leading a committee, or volunteering to chaperone the event – it all works because of our great volunteers. We have many creative fund raising opportunities throughout the year, so the more people that help, the more fun we all have. Did we say donations are always welcome?

Third, it's all about community! We have an amazing group of dedicated individuals, youth groups, and generous businesses that provide in many ways. From donations of money, time, raffle items, advertising, and materials for our events, we appreicate everyone that makes it all possible. We live in a great town!

Benefits

Everyone wins! Students and their invited guests are treated to an evening of interesting and fun events. Parents can relax a bit, knowing their kids are having a good time in a safe environment. Volunteers win by participating in a successful event for such a worthwhile cause. Businesses gain community support and *lots* of future customers and potential employees!

Requirements - What's next?

Watch for new links. We'll try things as we go along – the goal is to make it easy to communicate and schedule tasks. While work is already underway, we hope parents will feel free to sign up to help throughout the year.

Watch for links to our wish list and visit often to see how you can help!

We now have links for the forum and contact us. This website is a work in progress so we appreciate your suggestions to make this entire experience more fun and productive.

Parents of the Class of 2010 are invited to all meetings and to join the discussion board! We have a special forum ready for you, so please visit – list your ideas and things to remember. It will be your turn, soon enough!