In 1979, the Oxford Hills area in Maine
experienced seven alcohol and other drug-related teen deaths during the
commencement season. As a result of
this tragic experience, the schools and communities in the Oxford Hills area
offered their students an alternative to the “traditional” graduation night
drinking and driving temptations that all too often end in tragedy.
They called the party, “Project Graduation.”
By 1986, Project Graduation activities were held in fifty states.
West Milford Township High School has participated in
Project Graduation since 1982. Typically,
Project Graduation is celebrated at a spa/health club with activities scheduled
throughout the evening. We have
been fortunate the last few years to be able to hold the event at The Spa at
Crystal Springs at the Mountain Creek Resort.
Planning an event like this is not much different from planning a wedding, and it can be just as costly. Our budget the last couple of years has exceeded $20,000. We are indebted to our friends and neighbors for supporting this event every year by participating in our various fundraisers including our annual flower sale.
Our biggest fundraiser is our annual Project Graduation Telethon.We receive many items that are raffled off that night. Prizes have included a voucher for tickets to a New York Yankees home game, tickets to a Somerset Patriots minor league baseball game, tickets to a New Jersey Jackals minor league baseball game, two pairs of sunglasses courtesy of Native Eyewear (retail value $100 each), tickets to New York Jets preseason and regular season games, apparel from local colleges, and we have received promises of donations from the New York Giants and Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation in the form of collectible memorabilia.
While we are grateful to receive support from these large organizations, we are even more thankful to have the support of our local businesses. Our Gold Card fundraiser has been supported by: McDonalds, Blimpie, A & W, Rockport Bagel & Deli, Jessie’s Bagels, Blockbuster, Momento’s, West Milford Diner & Restaurant, Valley View Pub, Scott’s Great American Cleaners, Photo Express, Pequannock Feed, Frank’s Tackle & Paintball, Bella Noce, Burger King, Country Roads Deli, Unique Boutique, Pen’s Floral Designs, Curves for Women, Frank’s Pizza, Head to Head, STS, Modell’s, and Sneakers Unlimited. There were many other local businesses that supported our efforts through donations of money and/or product. Those businesses include: Eden Farms, Class Act Hair and Nail Salon, Mountain Creek Water Park, The Newark Bears, Dawn Til Dusk Professional Makeup, Shear Dimension, Portofino Family Restaurant, Casa Bianca, Meyer House Gift Shop, Hallmark Gift Shop, New Hairizons Hair and Nail Salon, Crystal Springs Golf Club, Marshall Hill Materials, the NY/NJ Metrostars, and PC Richards. Please support these businesses, and when you do, take the time to speak with the owner or manager and personally thank them for supporting Project Graduation. If they know that their contributions are bringing more customers in to their stores, they will continue to support our efforts in years to come, possibly even increasing what they are willing to contribute. Apologies to any local businesses that have supported us in the past if we've failed to mention you here.
The evening begins with the seniors
being bused from West Milford High School to the location of the event.
Upon arrival students will find many activities open for their use.
At The Spa that means swimming, Jacuzzis, basketball, racquetball,
tennis, volleyball, and walleyball. A
DJ and inflatable party games will be available for most of the night for your
entertainment also. If that sounds
like too much excitement for you, there will also be a quiet room available with
movies running throughout the night. In
addition, every senior who attends receives a free T-shirt and a chance to win
one of many fabulous door prizes.
The menu consists of fruit, vegetable
and cheese and cracker platters upon the student’s arrival.
A short time later a selection of Hors D’oeuvres will be available
followed by a graduation buffet. Finally,
at 4:00 AM there will be a continental breakfast available so nobody goes home
hungry.
Thank you to all of the businesses and individuals who have supported Project Graduation this year and in years past. Know that your thoughtfulness and consideration HAS made a difference in our children’s lives.
If you have any questions or would like to support Project Graduation, please call Bill Burks at (973) 697-1701 ext. 7052 or email at bill.burks@wmtps.org or send your contribution directly to:
West
Milford High School
46 Highlander Drive
West Milford, NJ 07480
ATTN: Bill Burks