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Plans made for graduation party

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Albany News

By Sandy Morris

High school graduation is three 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 Albany Drug and Alcohol Task Force, and several people, especially Ann Jones, were instrumental in organizing the local event.

In more recent years, parents of graduating seniors have taken responsibility for the party.

This year’s fundraising drive has been completed, and plans for the night’s activities have been finalized with the Class of 2021 deciding 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 28, and it will end with final prizes and gifts given out at the Feed Store sometime around 5:00 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 17. 

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.”

The events and locations planned for the night are not being announced and will be a surprise for the seniors.

“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 seniors worked, donated, or their parents helped with an event, their names go in the drawing again.”

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

“We have 30 students who have worked more than the required four times,” said Wilkins. “Those students will receive a gift valued between $400 and $600.”

At the end of the night, all 35 seniors at the party will receive a portion of $5,000 in Albany Bucks. 

“We are very excited about giving large increments of Albany Bucks to the graduates,” Wilkins said. “Not only is it a great prize, but that money is going back into the community.”

The Albany Task Force will draw for two $500 scholarships at the end of the night.

One boy and one girl from the class will receive a scholarship simply by staying at the party all night, as long as they plan to attend  a college or trade school after graduation. 

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.