All-Night Graduation Bash Keeps Kids Safe, Entertained

An all-night party packed with hundreds of teenagers on their last night of ?

Sounds like trouble, right?

Not in this case, according to Project Graduation organizer Mara Jacobs. Now in its 24th year at Moorestown, Project Graduation aims to keep high school seniors safe on graduation night—traditionally one of the deadliest nights for teenagers across the country, with its combination of partying, drinking and driving—by throwing them one last big bash with all their friends.

Right after graduation, the students board buses and are whisked away to a mystery location for an all-night party of games, food and fun chaperoned by teachers and other volunteers—but no senior parents. Moorestown is one of many schools across the country, and in the area, that holds a Project Graduation party.

Jacobs said the event, sponsored by the Moorestown Education Foundation (MEF) and supported by the Community Alliance on Substance Abuse (CASA), is great because, “At least for one night, we’re keeping these kids safe and secure … and .”

There are games for the students to play and raffles with college-related prizes (e.g. Bed, Bath & Beyond gift certificates, iPods, Target gift cards, gas cards, etc.).

“Every kid walks away with something,” said Jacobs.

Last year’s destinations included the Philadelphia Belle riverboat and Rider University. This year’s party destinations are tightly under wraps, despite Jacobs’ daughter’s best efforts to ply her mother for information.

“The kids, they anticipate it,” Jacobs said. “They hear year after year how much fun it is.”

Cissy DerHagopian said her son, Jake, attended the party last year and came home “tired, safe, and very happy … ‘It was great’; that’s all he kept saying.”

Beyond the obvious benefit of keeping the kids safe and entertained, DerHagopian, who is in charge of the fine dining raffle fundraiser this year, also had a somewhat different take on what makes Project Graduation special.

“Me personally, I like Project Graduation because it’s for the child that might not have a large social circle, for the child that might not be invited to a party on graduation night,” she said. “They get on the bus and they feel like they’re part of the group.”

Since the education foundation is a nonprofit, all the proceeds to fund Project Graduation—which costs roughly $100 per student—come from donations, as well as the sale of fine dining raffle tickets and lawn signs personalized to congratulate individual graduates.

Top prize for the fine dining raffle is $200 gift certificates to each of 12 restaurants in the area. Second prize is $100 gift certificates to each of the restaurants.

To buy a raffle ticket ($100 apiece), or for more information about Project Graduation, contact Mara Jacobs at marajacobsandco@comcast.net.

To make a donation or purchase a lawn sign, print out the forms attached to this article (above).