Project Grad plans reach final countdown

By Sam Waller

With just a week to go before the big night, parents of Albany High School seniors are putting the final touches on plans for the annual Project Graduation party.

Organizer Amanda Tabor said Project Graduation has received a wide range of support from the community to assist in preparations, including several gift baskets. Two gift baskets will prove especially useful for when graduates get out on their own, Tabor said.

“The API ladies made really cool laundry gift baskets,” she said. “They even put in a little booklet on how to wash clothes with step-by-step instructions.”

Tabor added that other contributions include gift cards from local businesses, allowing organizers to purchase prizes locally.

Fundraising efforts have generated enough to cover basic expenses for the party. Donations received in the next week will be used to subsidize gift cards for the seniors.

The 2023 event will start at the high school with check-in by 10:30 p.m. on Friday, May 26, and finish with final prizes and gifts around 5:00 a.m. Saturday, May 27.

Drawings will be held every 30 minutes for door prizes. Every senior will have at least one chance in the pot. Additional chances were earned during the year for each time seniors worked, donated or their parents helped with an event. The more times a senior helped, the greater the odds of winning prizes.

The Albany Task Force will draw for two $500 scholarships, one to be awarded to a girl and one to a boy, at the end of the night.

Parent volunteers are still needed to help with all the scheduled activities during the evening. Those wishing to help should contact Tabor at 325-762-0320.