PROJECT GRADUATION

proj·ect grad·u·a·tion  [n. proj-ekt graj-oo-ey-shuhn] 1. An all-night party that saves lives because it provides a safe alternative to party-hopping.  2.  A fun-filled celebration that keeps graduates off the roads, prevents any of them from becoming an accident statistic, and allows parents to rest easy knowing their son or daughter is safely celebrating in a drug-free and alcohol-free environment.  3. A tradition that brings parents, teachers and faculty, members of the community and students of all classes together to honor the accomplishments of each an every graduate, each and every year. 

Project Graduation at Forest Hill Community High School

"Project Grad" is an all-night, adult supervised, drug and alcohol-free night of fun and games, music and entertainment, food, beverage and prizes for our graduating senior class.  The event is organized by the parents of the graduating seniors, with financial support and sponsorship from both our local business community and donations from parents and faculty, school-wide.  Parents, seniors and students from all classes are encouraged to take an active part in organizing and fundraising for each year's event--activities that begin early in the school year. 

Project Graduation 2007 as the first such event at Forest Hill in many years, and thanks to the hard work, dedication and support of parents, teachers and the many people who volunteered to chaperone the event, Project Graduation 2008 was an even more SPECTACULAR success, with nearly 90% of the graduation Class of 2008 in attendance! 

We are thrilled to be able to continue this effort into another school year, and look to the Forest Hill community once again to make this year's event even better, with a goal of 100% participation by the graduates of the Class of 2009. The goals of Project Graduation 2009 also include not only raising enough money to sponsor this year's party, but to leave start-up funds for the following year's Project Grad, to help ensure that this important tradition is carried on.  

• Alcohol is the #1 drug of choice among teens in America.  A national survey conducted in 2006 showed that 73% of high school seniors have tried alcohol.
• For many of our youth, drinking alcohol is a major part of celebrating big events, such as prom and graduation--events which often involve driving.
• Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young people aged 15 to 20, accounting for more than 20% of the nation's annual traffic fatalities.  Nearly 1/3 of the 15 to 20-year old drivers who were killed in fatal crashes in 2003 had been drinking, and 25% had a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.08 and above.
• The NHSTA has reported that the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities spikes from April to June, the months of prom and graduation.  ***NHSTA statistics show that on average, over 60% of the traffic fatalities in the 15-20 age group that occur during the weeks of prom and graduation are alcohol-related***
• A California Highway Patrol study has shown that "by far, the highest number of teen drunk driving fatalities happen on graduation night."
• Project Graduation events held across the nation have been shown to be the most effective means of preventing needless drug and alcohol-related incidents, saving lives in every community where they are held.

The Solution: Project Graduation

Although its success would not be possible without the support and encouragement of the faculty, staff and administration of FHCHS, Project Graduation 2009 is produced and presented for the benefit of the Class of 2009 by a parent-run, all-volunteer committee, and is not an official Forest Hill Community High School-sponsored event.  Please direct any questions, concerns or suggestions to the Debbie Klopp, Project Graduation 2009 chairperson.