Safe graduation party is a community-wide effort

Westborough-Westborough High School 2013 graduates will be the 23^rd class to celebrate the milestone as part of Project Graduation. Students have the opportunity to enjoy graduation night with their peers in a safe, chemical-free environment at Teamworks in Northborough.

On June 8, following graduation ceremonies, the event will run from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., with decorations, entertainment, food, games and recreational sports.

Mary Ann Bryant, trustee and board member of Project Graduation, has been involved with the organization for more than five years.

“Community-wide participation is the key to our success for the past 23 years,” she said. “With almost 90 percent annual participation by graduating Westborough High School seniors, we have been a very fortunate community on this special evening.”

Not only do the graduates share a fun-filled evening, but it also allows parents to know their children are in a closed, watchful environment on what can be a stressful evening.

“Our kids are safe and we know where they are,” said Chair Fay Stadig, whose third child will attend the Project Graduation event this year.

“Graduation nights are rife with injuries throughout the country,” Bryant noted. “Our reputation and clear record in Westborough bodes well for the community at large.”

According to Bryant, Project Graduation is successful due to the donations by parents of Westborough High students, financial support of business leaders throughout the community, and assistance from volunteers and Westborough High School.

Project Graduation Westborough is an independent, non-profit organization. Each year, parents of underclassmen chaperone the evening activities, allowing seniors to enjoy one final evening with their peers.

Chaperones are needed to fill two shifts from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and from 1 to 5 a.m. Contact Stadig at [email protected] for more information. Parents and community businesses are encouraged to make a donation to cover the $15,000 cost. Families of seniors are asked for a donation of $35 to help defray the cost.