Project Graduation: Party hardy and safe

By Jeff Walker
Features Editor

San Marcos May 07, 2008 10:59 am

— San Marcos High School parents and volunteers are once again preparing a special party for this year’s high school graduates — and a safe one, at that.
The annual Project Graduation, an all-night celebration at the high school on graduation night, will be held June 7 beginning at 10 p.m. The event is designed to prevent accidents and tragedies related to graduation partying.
“The sole purpose of this is to keep them off the streets,” said Richard Howser, event volunteer. “We’ll have plenty of things set up to entertain these kids all night.”
Texas Roadhouse will host a dinner fundraiser for Project Graduation on May 13 from 4 to 10 p.m. Fifteen percent of the money earned from patrons that night will go to the event. Similar fundraising events took place at Carino’s and Taco Bueno.
Howser said that as the event nears, the need for volunteers continues to grow.
“We need warm bodies. We need people to come and spend the night with us (on June 7),” Howser said. “From people at casino tables to collecting money to just helping maintain order.”
Those interested in volunteering should contact Beth Wolpman at 557-1288.
Activities for the night will include casino tables, door prizes, board games, bounce houses and food served throughout the night.
The idea for such a graduation event was introduced in 1979 when a high school in Maine experienced seven alcohol and other drug-related teen deaths during the commencement season.
The next year, parents in the area offered an alternative graduation night party much like the one offered presently in San Marcos.
“As a parent (of a graduating senior), I think it’s the neatest thing they’ve ever come up with,” Howser said.