31 attend graduation party

The Albany High School graduates of 2019 once again participated in Project Graduation on Friday, May 24.

Project Graduation is an annual event designed to give seniors one last high school memory and to celebrate completion of high school. It begins a couple of hours after graduation, and continues throughout the night.

All but three seniors showed up for the event, with 25 seniors enjoying the night of fun and celebration. Six juniors also joined the seniors during the night, after being ushers during graduation.

Project Graduation once again raised a large sum of money through fundraisers and local donations. 

“This year we raised over $19,600,” said organizer Tisha Wilkins. “All of the money was raised and donated locally. We raised a lot of money through our student fundraisers, which this year included a Sunday lunch and selling Valentine’s Day truffles. We were able to give out very nice gifts and prizes because we had received and raised so much money.”

The night began at 10:00 p.m. with seniors arriving at the Feed Store after graduation to kick off the festivities.

“Two door prizes were drawn for and handed out every half hour,” said Wilkins. “Prizes included things such as gift cards and money.”

Several members of the Albany High School baseball team left the event early.

“A few seniors and ushers on the baseball team had to leave around 1:00 a.m. to make sure that they would be rested for their game on Saturday afternoon,” said Wilkins. “Even though they left, they remained eligible for all of the drawings throughout the night, since they left because of a UIL-sanctioned activity.”

While rain has plagued Project Graduation in the past, seniors this year did not have to worry about a downpour during the night.

“We moved some things around because we were worried about rain, but thankfully we didn’t get any this year,” said Wilkins.

Activities during the long night included disco bingo, a mechanical bull, corn hole, dodge ball, an inflatable obstacle course, and more.

The final activity for the night was located at Webb Park, where seniors were able to swim, as well as play volleyball and kickball.

Seniors returned to the Feed Store at around 5:00 a.m. to wrap up the night, where the final prizes were given out, and the two winners of the $500 Albany Task Force Scholarships were announced.

The Albany Task Force has sponsored two $500 scholarships, one for a girl and the other for a boy, for several decades.

“Braden Davis and Jillian Guinn won the two scholarships this year,” said Wilkins.