31 seniors attend Project Graduation party

By Sandy Morris

The Albany High School Class of 2021 participated in Project Graduation on Friday, May 28 after graduation and a reception.

According to organizer Tisha Wilkins, money continued to pour into the event up until the last day.

“We literally had people sending us money in the mail or stopping a parent and making a donation,” she said. “We then had to decide how we were going to use it, which was a great problem to have. There were several last-minute extra door prizes and gifts that were purchased prior to the party.”

Project Graduation is an annual event designed to give seniors one last high school memory and the opportunity to celebrate the completion of high school.

The event began at 10:30 p.m. Friday night and wrapped up around 5:00 a.m. Saturday morning.  

A total of 31 out of the 35 graduates signed in and stayed for the entire night of fun and games. The six junior ushers and usherettes also were also invited to join in the celebration. 

Wilkins said that the community, as always, was very supportive of Project Graduation. 

“This year, we raised over $29,000,” said Wilkins. “All of the money was donated or raised locally through our student fundraisers. As far as I know, our Valentine’s Day event was the largest fundraiser we have ever had, selling over 2,300 truffles.”

The community came through in a big way with donations of money and prizes including $5,000 in Albany Bucks that were purchased and given away to the graduating seniors.

“We were excited about the Albany Bucks as prizes because that money stays here locally in our community,” Wilkins said.

Fun and Games

The night began at the Feed Store where seniors signed in for the night. 

Two door prizes were given away every half hour throughout the night. One prize was a $100 gift and the other prize was a combination of Visa, gas and food gift cards.

All activities were held locally, and organizers kept everything a secret in order to surprise the graduates. 

Seniors started the night playing dodgeball against the high school faculty, coaches, and staff.

Friendship Baptist Church was the next stop where the group ate and played bingo, corn hole, and Family Feud.

Next, the graduates tackled an obstacle course set up at the Nancy Smith Elementary School gym.

When the group reached the city park, the group played kickball and swam.

They returned to the Feed Store around 5:00 a.m. to wrap up the night and receive the final prizes, as well as draw for recipients of the Task Force Scholarships. Alli Hill and Isaiah Dockins were announced as the winners. 

Each year, the Task Force awards two $500 scholarships, one for a girl and one for a boy. The students must stay the entire night at Project Graduation and have plans to continue their education at a college or a trade school.