Project Graduation Planning a Party for 340

Three hundred and forty students will graduate Farmington High School on June 20. How can you help make it a safe and memorable night?

“For several decades, Project Graduation has been a safe opportunity for the entire graduating class to be together one last time. Parents don't have to worry about the graduates and the graduates seem to have a great time. It is a terrific Farmington tradition that speaks volumes about how the community values its children,” explained Farmington High School Principal Timothy Breslin.

Recalled Andy Siuta, Class of '09, “It was a great time being able to hang out with all your friends as a last blast. As the night started out I hung out with my friends a lot however, as the night moved on I found myself with people I was only merely acquainted with and would probably not see again until a reunion setting, or large party somewhere. That is what I remember most about the party, that last connection with people who I'd always have the high school experience with. The atmosphere of 350 kids who all knew each other and were able to do pretty much whatever they wanted, be it talking with people they barely knew in high school or running through giant blow up mazes, enjoying our last bit of childhood.”

There are many ways to support the Project Graduation Committee, which is planning the 27th annual party. The event runs 9:30 a.m. to 4 a.m. on graduation night.

Mike Clark, Farmington Town Council Chair, was co-chairman of Project Graduation for two years and was part of the group that parked cars for the event for 15 years.

“It is a tremendous volunteer effort by parents, Farmington High School, school organizations and the police department," Clark said. "Its goal is very simple and very important — to insure that our FHS graduates celebrate their achievement and enjoy a funfilled evening with their classmates in a safe and alcohol- and drug-free environment.”

Some of the ways you can support Project Graduation are:

Eat: The committee has scheduled Dine-in or Take-out Evenings at three local restaurants.  Just mention Project Graduation and a percentage of the price of your dinner will be donated to the project on these nights:

• , 1274 Farmington Ave., Tuesday, April 26
  
  
• 2 Spring Lane,  Tuesday, May 3
  
  
• , 45 S. Main St., Tuesday, May 10

Buy a bead: The Farmington High School bead sale is a unique fundraiser. The beads are a combination of maroon, white and silver, with Farmington High School engraved on one side, and can be added to a bracelet or necklace. Cost is $25 each. You can download the order form here.

Send a flock of flamingos: The popular “flamingo flocking” fundraiser will be offered again this year. For a tax-deductible gift of $25 to FHS Project Graduation 2011, you can have a flock of bright, pink flamingos placed on the lawn of a neighbor or friend. “A flock includes 12-14 birds which glide stealthily into place sometime around 10 p.m. The flock will nest comfortably for one day before flying off to a new destination,” explained Kathleen Hickey, communications and publicity coordinator for Project Graduation. Contact fhsprojgrad@gmail.com to purchase beads or to arrange a flamingo flocking.

All interested senior parents are “enthusiastically” invited to planning committee meetings at the Farmington High School library, Wednesdays, April 6, 27, May 18, and June 1, 15 at 7 p.m.

Parents of  juniors and other underclassmen are asked to volunteer to chaperone the party.

"My first introduction to Project Graduation was over eight years ago before any of my four boys were at FHS,” said Farmington Board of Education member Ellen Siuta. “My neighbor begged me to chaperone because they needed more volunteers and I couldn't say no. I got home at 3:00 a.m. completely inspired and I've been involved ever since. I love that we draw over 90 percent of our students to a chem-free activity. The kids really look forward to this event, being with their class one last time — it's an amazing night for our graduates."

Donations of food, goods or funds are appreciated. Please make checks payable to FHS Project Graduation and mail to: 
FHS Project Graduation 2011, P.O. Box 914, Farmington, CT 06034.