Project Graduation

Project Graduation is a yearly event here on the Northshore for our graduating senior classes. It’s an all night event starting an hour or two after each school’s commencement ceremony. Seniors purchase tickets in advance and are in store for lots of games, music, and prizes. The whole point is to keep them safe from drug or alcohol related accidents on graduation night. The motto of Project Graduation is *If just one young life is saved, it is all worthwhile.*
I volunteered this year because apparently I’m nuts. (Just kidding!) Volunteers are vital to the success of the event. Plus they promised me free food.
So I arrive at the gymnasium where it’s held and check in. I’m given a name tag and a little apron (tool belt?) type thing stuffed with fake money. The gym has game sections and I was informed I’d be working the putt putt section. Remember on The Price is Right that game that you putt a golf ball into that hole and everyone sucked at it? Basically the same game I was in charge of. The rules were the student gets three tries to get it in and win fake cash for a successful putt (s). The fake cash is used like a raffle ticket to turn in for a chance at the prizes… how much depended on how much the prizes were worth.
The students check in and are not allowed to leave until 5 a.m. They’re not kidding about that either. There were several policemen there and cop cars blocking the exits out of the park.
All in all it was rewarding experience and I enjoyed spending my time volunteering for it. I was really busy the whole night and barely had a chance to catch my breath, but that made time pass quickly. Plus, one of the senior boys asked me out! I declined (of course!) but that still makes me smile when I think about it. :)