Project Graduation, Celina Record

Project Graduation provides Celina teens with a safe way to celebrate Lisa Ferguson, lferguson@starlocalmedia.com May 21, 2016 High school graduation night can be one of the most exciting evenings in many teenagers’ lives. It can also be one of the most dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Washington, D.C., one-third of all alcohol-related crash fatalities of youths under age 21 annually occur during prom and graduation season, between April and June. That is why for years, local parent volunteers have worked to provide Celina High School seniors with an alcohol-and-drug-free, adult-supervised way to celebrate following the school’s graduation ceremony, which this year is set for 7 p.m. June 3 at Stonebriar Church, 4801 Legendary Dr. in Frisco. The Project Graduation program is offered at high schools in cities throughout the country, including Celina. Melissa Barr, one of the parents who his helping to organize this year’s event, said a nonprofit organization of the same name was founded locally six years ago to raise funds throughout the school year that are used to host the big bash, as well as to buy gifts for graduating students. “We just give them a night that hopefully they won’t ever forget,” she said. “It’s kind of their last hurrah with their friends.” Several Project Graduation fundraisers were held this year, the largest being Celina’s High School’s homecoming dance. The local Project Graduation organization also sponsored the school’s annual Sadie Hawkins dance and sold Valentine’s Day treats that were purchased by and distributed to students throughout the Celina ISD. Barr said the group also receives several hundred dollars in grant money from the state of Texas each year to help cover costs. “They appreciate knowing that for at least one night all of those kids at one time are off the roads,” she said. Earlier this month, the organization received a $500 donation from the Celina City Council. “It’s such a team effort,” Barr said. “Everyone is just so willing to help out.” As in years past, the 170 members of Celina High’s class of 2016 will be treated to an all-night party at Speed Zone Dallas, 11130 Malibu Drive in Dallas, an amusement center featuring arcade games, go-kart racing and miniature golf. Before students are allowed to attend the event, however, they must sign a contract of sorts, acknowledging that no alcohol or drugs will be permitted at the event. Following the graduation ceremony, the students will gather at First Baptist Church of Celina, at 841 N. Preston Road, where they will be loaded onto school district buses and transported to Speed Zone Dallas. “We drive up, we walk in, they shut the door, lock the gate and nobody can go anywhere after that,” Barr explained. “They’re very safe.” A handful of parents usually chaperone the party. Celina City Councilwoman Lori Vaden was among them last year and plans to attend this year’s event. “It’s a ton of fun,” she said. “The whole reason we even do this is to make sure that [the students] are safe,” Vaden said. “We have tabs on them.” When the party ends, the students will ride buses back to the church where they will be treated to a catered breakfast and have their names drawn to select from a mountain of gifts that are also being provided by the local Project Graduation organization. From new televisions and Keurig coffeemakers to computer printers and $100-dollar gift cards, Barr said there’s something to suit just about every senior class member’s needs “whether they’re going on college or whether they’ll be living at home.” “There’s just nothing more important than our kids’ safety,” she said, “and we just want them to see that you can have fun without the drugs and alcohol.”