Project Graduation earns $1,600
By Mary Brienza, Staff Writer
Some high school juniors and seniors spent their Friday night modeling clothes to raise money for Project Graduation at the Can Do fitness center in Plainsboro.
Christine Mariano, who is the treasurer of Project Graduation and has been part of the organization on and off for three years, said Project Graduation provides a safe and alcohol free graduation celebration.
Twenty-eight juniors and seniors modeled during the show, Ms. Mariano said.
They were recruited through morning announcements and Facebook, Ms. Mariano said.
The girls who participated were chosen by lottery since there were more girls who wanted to participate then boys, Ms. Mariano said.
”Born out of a crisis,” Ms. Mariano said, the national program was founded after seven seniors who graduated in Maine in 1979 and then died from alcohol and drug related deaths.
Locally, the program has been around since 1992, according to the organization.
The money raised at the event will go to the senior’s Project Graduation event, Ms. Mariano said.
Tickets were $8 in advance and $10 at the door, and raised about $1,600 for the organization, Ms. Mariano said.
This year, the organization will hold its event at Funplex indoor-outdoor recreation facility in Mount Laurel, Burlington County, according to the organization. The estimated cost for the night is $45,000 with about 550 of the 690 graduating class participating.
The models walked the catwalk to cheers, applause, and upbeat, pounding music.
They first modeled sportswear from Can Do, and then modeled prom wear from Kiki D’s and ChazMaTazz, according to Ms. Mariano.
When modeling the prom wear, the boys went first, and then escorted the girls onstage.
After the fashion show, raffles and door prizes were announced and given out.
Kimberly Reed, a 17 year-old junior who resides in Kendall Park, said she participated because her sister had participated in a previous show and that she wanted to follow in her footsteps.
Kimberly said she enjoyed “being out in front of everyone, and showing off my prom dress.”
During the show, Kimberly said she wore a red dress accented with a row of flowers going up and over her shoulder.
Next year, Kimberly said she would participate in the prom preview program once again in her senior year.
She said she would also “try to get more of my friends to do it.”
Debbie Williams, who resides in Kendall Park, also participates in Project Graduation, said her daughter Shanel Williams, 17, was one of the participants.
Shanel wore a red dress with sparkles on it, Ms. Williams said.
Ms. Williams said Project Graduation is a big, well chaperoned party that provides a safe environment for the seniors.
She said it will “keep children safe on graduation night.”
Alicia Cassio, a parent volunteer who also volunteered last year, said her son Justin Berger, 17, who is a senior, participated last year, but did not participate this year because he was at a recreation basketball game, and his team won a championship.
Ms. Cassio said Project Graduation is “something that keeps them off the street and safe on graduation night and a chance to celebrate with their friends before they move on to the next phase of their lives.”