By Eileen Oldfield, Staff Writer
When first presented to Manville High School’s Class of 2009, Project Graduation was a completely foreign concept.
”The students didn’t know what it was so we had to explain it to them,” said Mary Ellen Zangara, one of the event organizers. “. . .As we’re explaining it, and as their friends that go to other high schools told them about it, they’ve gotten a better idea.”
Since it’s Manville High School’s first experience with the all-night drug- and alcohol-free event for the graduating class, it’s a learning process for both the students and the event’s organizers. Project Graduation will be held at the high school immediately after the graduation ceremony.
Ms. Zangara couldn’t comment on the event cost because several fundraisers the event is funded entirely through fundraisers and donations haven’t occurred yet.
Prior fundraisers have included dine-in nights where local restaurants donate a portion of their proceeds to Project Graduation and a Valentine’s Day dance. Some of the money raised also will go to a scholarship, Ms. Zangara said.
Several local businesses donated food or door prizes for the event rather than money, Ms. Zangara said. The organizers approached almost every business in town with a positive response from many business owners.
”Everybody who has responded is very glad Manville’s doing this for the kids,” she said. “All the other communities (around Manville) have had it.”
The organizers met with high school students several times about the event, both for updates and to determine the activities students wanted during the night. Later, organizers will finalize the activities with an entertainment company.
”We have an entertainment company that’s working with us, putting together packages of what to do during the night,” Ms. Zangara said. “We know they (the students) want a hypnotist and a caricaturist.”
Despite the planning, fundraising and promoting the event, creating a drug and alcohol-free all-night party isn’t easy work, particularly when it’s a first for the school.
”It’s a different experience when it’s your first time,” Ms. Zangara said. “You learn as you go along.”

