On Graduation Night, Project Graduation Provides Memorable Substance-Free Celebration

For years, Project Graduation has been a pivotal part of the end of the year festivities for Ridge High School's graduating class. After a year of fun events such as the Senior Tailgate and the 100-day countdown to graduation, Project Graduation ends the year with the Senior Bash.

The all-night event, spearheaded by a group of community members and organizations, provides an activity-filled, substance-free environment where the Class of 2011 can celebrate. 

Project Graduation was first started in 1986, due to the high level of association between graduation night and drinking and driving. Bernards Township was one of the first communities in the state of New Jersey to start this type of program.

“In general, across the nation, kids drink and go out,” said Danielle Cooper, Community Program Coordinator and Project Graduation representative for the Bernards Township Municipal Alliance. “Over the years, there have been many accidents and local tragedies. Project Graduation was created as an alternative to post-graduation parties so the town could sleep better at night.”

Project Graduation has brought many events to the Class of 2011 this year. Last October's Senior Tailgate, the 100-day countdown to graduation in March, the Mystery Bus Ride and Ice Cream Social later in the spring were all leading to the biggest event of the year, the Senior Bash.

This year’s Senior Bash is scheduled for 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. immediately following graduation on Wednesday, June 22, at the Indoor Sports Pavillion in Randolph. Students will be bused to and from the school after the graduation ceremony.

“We’re going to have a lot of new things,” Cooper said. “It’s going to be huge.”

There will be a variety of activities for the Class of 2011 that were not available in years past such as a new inflatable slide, a sumo-wrestling game, and mechanical bulls. The facility also allows for more athletic activities due to the two playing fields available for student use. 

In addition to these new attractions, there will be a DJ, hypnotist, and cartoonists and a plethora of activities for every type of student.

“We are hoping with all of our efforts throughout the year [students] learn to have fun without the use of alcohol,” Cooper said. “My advice is to enjoy their experience as they start their journey. The center of their journey is not alcohol.”

Cooper emphasized that Project Graduation is one of the town’s “hugest programs” as it demonstrates that enjoying active activities and food can be the center of fun rather than alcohol.

“It’s really focusing in on high school students. This is the age where they experiment with alcohol,” Cooper said.

Spearheading Project Graduation is Bernards Township’s SCOP (State Community Organization Program) team, which is comprised of different members of the high school administration, Bernards Township Police, the town’s health department, parents, and other members of the community.

The SCOP team is anticipating over 90 percent of the 420-student graduating class to partake in the Senior Bash activities on Wednesday night. Many Ridge students look forward to this evening as a great time to make a few more high school memories before college begins.

 “I really look forward to the chance to spend one last time with our grade,” Senior Abel Flint said. “This may be the last time I spend time with a lot of people in my grade. It's the perfect way to say goodbye to everyone I've grown up with my whole life. Additionally, I'm excited for all the events that will take place there. Everyone loves an all-night party.”

Still, there will be a small handful of students who do not attend. Nevertheless, they will still have fond graduation memories to look back on.

“I’m not doing it, I really want to go. But I’d make my parents really happy if I go out to dinner with them,” Liselotte Van Landegem, a senior, said.  

Funding for all of the events is provided by donations from parents and local vendors as well as a Poinsettia Fundraiser that is held in November and a telethon held by Ridge’s student government.  

“I’m thankful to the parents and all of our donors… We are a non-profit, so we wouldn’t be able to make the bash a success without the financial support,” Cooper said.