Project Graduation More Than Just a Party

Danya George gets sentimental when she talks about Project Graduation.

For her, it's not just an expensive party thrown for a bunch of spoiled kids—which is, she knows, the perception some may have. 

Unlike some other high schools, that have end-of-year events and celebrations for every grade level each year, Moorestown crams everything into that last week before graduation, George said. There's a class trip, but students have to pay for that and not all of them can afford it. Project Graduation, now in its 25th year at Moorestown High School, is a chance to bring all the students together for one last well-deserved send-off.

"What happens at this is, nobody's excluded. This is the thing that brings them together," she said. "Nobody is left out and has nowhere to go the night of graduation."

George, who's been volunteering to help organize the event for six years, remembered fondly her first Project Graduation: "It was such a great experience. It's the last time you see the class all together ... I became very attached to it."

Of course, a celebration for a few hundred teenagers gets pricey. The Project Graduation committee budgeted $60,000 for the bash last year.

Each year, organizers rely heavily on donations from individuals and organizations to keep the operation going, said George, as well as the popular fine dining raffle fundraiser, in which ticketbuyers pay $100 for a a chance to win $2,400 worth of fine dining (12 $200 gift certificates to area restaurants).

"It's our way to reach out to members of the community that no longer have a direct connection to the school," she said, adding that last year's grand prize winner is still spending her winnings.

Tickets are on sale until June and can be purchased by contacting Raffle Committee chair Cissy Der Hagopian at cderhagopian@aol.com. In addition to the $2,400 grand prize, there are also second (12 $100 gift certificates), third (12 $50 gift certificates) and fourth place (a $50 gift certificate to 12 individual winners) prizes.

Past dining establishments have included Capital Grille, Café Madison (Riverside), Maggiano’s, Café Aldo Lamberti (Cherry Hilly), Seasons 52, Nunzio’s (Collingswood) and Buddakan (Philadelphia).

George said the committee has already received sizable donations from members of the community, as well as some of the sports clubs in town.

"I'm always so proud of our town every year when we do this," she said. "They say it takes a village to raise a child. It certainly takes a village to help them graduate."

As in years past, students attending this year's Project Graduation will be whisked off to two undisclosed locations immediately following the graduation ceremony for an all-night party of games, food, fun and prizes chaperoned by teachers and other volunteers. 

At the end of the night—or the beginning of the morning, depending on how you look at it—they're brought back to the high school for a raffle.

George added that any money left over after the party's paid for is used by the senior class to buy a parting gift for the high school. In year's past, the students have purchased benches and flags for the school.

Project Graduation is sponsored by the Moorestown Education Foundation.

Graduation will be held on Thursday, June 20. 

Interested in contributing or volunteering? Contact George at dlag1958@aol.com.

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