Final plans made for Class of 2019 Project Graduation party

High school graduation is only two weeks away, and seniors and their parents are making plans for the celebration, including the traditional Project Graduation party.

Project Graduation is an all-night drug-free and alcohol-free party following commencement exercises and has been an annual tradition in Albany since 1988.

The project was started by the efforts of the Albany Drug and Alcohol Task Force, and several people, especially Ann Jones, were instrumental in organizing the local event.

The 1988 lock-in party was based in the high school gym, with a side trip planned to the swimming pool in the middle of the night and included games, supper, banana splits, breakfast, prizes, a dance, movies, and music.

The fundraising drive has been completed, but plans for the night’s activities were not yet finalized as of press time. 

The class of 2019 decided to stay in Albany rather than travel out-of-town.

The event will start at the Feed Store with check-in between 10:15 and 10:30 p.m. on May 24, and finish with the final prizes and gifts given out at the Feed Store sometime around 5:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. 

Participants must have turned in a completed Project Graduation Contract, including both the student’s and the parent’s signatures, to the school office by Monday, May 13. 

No one will be admitted to the party after 10:30 p.m., or allowed to re-enter if they leave.

“The party is for the graduates and the six junior ushers only,” said organizer Tisha Wilkins. “It is not for guests, siblings, or family members, unless the graduate’s parents are chaperoning.”

Typically the new graduates travel to various locations in town, including the football stadium, basketball gym, elementary school, and City Park, enjoying various games and snacks along the way.

“Drawings will be held every 30 minutes for door prizes valued from $50 to over $100,” said Wilkins. “Every senior’s name will be put in the drawing one time. Then for every time a senior worked, donated, or their parents helped with an event, their name goes in the drawing again.”

The more times a senior helped, the greater their odds of winning prizes.

“We have some students who have worked 10 or more times,” said Wilkins. “At the end of the night, all 28 seniors at the party will receive $50 in Albany Bucks. The 15 seniors who have worked four or more events will receive extra gifts.”

The Albany Task Force will give out two $500 scholarships at the end of the night.

“We give one to a boy and one to a girl,” said Task Force member Charlotte Taggart. “They have to have stayed at the party all night, and they have to be going on to a college or trade school.”

Students are asked to bring comfortable clothes, a swim suit, and a towel.  

We still need parent volunteers,” added Wilkins. “If anyone wants to help, they can contact me.”

Wilkins can be reached at 325-660-7443.