The next Project Graduation meeting will be held on April 9 at 7 p.m., and the community is encouraged to attend and contribute ideas.
By Krista Cerminaro
Project Graduation, a program implemented for graduating seniors to enjoy a drug- and alcohol-free night of fun following commencement, is in its 20th year at Williamstown High School.
However, despite its history at WHS, its number of volunteers is dwindling, according to treasurer Christine Scarpulla, who’s been involved with Project Graduation since 2005.
“I believe so much in this program,” Scarpulla said. “It’s our way of keeping them safe, so they’re not going party-hopping. As a parent, you’d want to say ‘I got my child to graduation, I want to see them keep going — I don’t want that to be the last thing they do, going to someone’s party just because they had nothing else to do.’”
According to Scarpulla, the intent of the program is to prevent graduates from putting themselves in situations where drugs or alcohol are involved by providing a fun, safe environment.
“You made it 12 years — we don’t want you to go out and do something ridiculous or stupid that night just because you’re done,” Scarpulla said. “[Project Graduation] is a safe, fun night — a way to kind of relax and reward yourself. That’s kind of our goal.”
Scarpulla said her organization has five committee members who assist in planning, and only about five to six additional volunteers helping with the program.
“We have anywhere from 400 to 500 senior students graduating,” Scarpulla said. “You would think you might get more than five to 10 people that come out and help.”
According to Scarpulla, volunteers help put Project Graduation together, plan fundraising events leading up to it and attend meetings and help work fundraising events, which include craft shows, fashion shows and food fundraisers.
The committee is in the process of preparing for its fashion show, which will take place on Sunday, April 29, at 4 p.m. The show pairs elementary students with seniors, and typically has a good turnout, Scarpulla said.
The goal for Project Graduation is to raise $100 per student, which amounts to roughly $50,000. As of now, Scarpulla said they’ve raised around $20,000.
This helps to cover entertainment, prizes, food and other costs to provide for the graduating seniors.
“There’s things for everyone to do,” Scarpulla said. “We try to have something going on all the time.”
Following graduation, the township provides bus transportation to a venue where students can participate in Zumba, basketball contests, watch movies and more. Students all receive a bag for their belongings and a $25 Wawa gift card, and have the opportunity to enjoy food, win prizes and enjoy various entertainment such as a hypnotist, psychic, tattoo artists, balloons and more. The night lasts from about 11 p.m. to around 4 a.m., according to Scarpulla.
“We do have business people that have sent us in money, family contributions, that kind of thing,” Scarpulla said. “We have a lot of ways to go.”
Scarpulla also said many parents also donate food, water and soda.
“The bulk is donated, but we do have to purchase some,” said Scarpulla, who noted that booking entertainment alone costs more than $8,000.
Project Graduation meetings are listed on the district calendar, and anyone can attend or volunteer, as long as they haven’t graduated from WHS within the last five years. Scarpulla encouraged the community to come attend the meetings and bring others along as well.
To chaperone Project Graduation, volunteers are required to go to a minimum of one meeting, and help with one event, but are encouraged to attend and help with more. Chaperones also can choose to stay for a portion of the night, or the whole night if they wish.
The next Project Graduation meeting will take place on Monday, April 9, at 7 p.m. in the WHS media center.
For more information on Project Graduation, visit www.monroetwp.k12.nj.us/highschool/students-parents/project-graduation.
