Project Graduation offers safe, celebratory environment for Cove graduates

Special to the Leader-Press

An estimated 350 graduates out of a class of 451 attended Project Graduation, the annual drug-free and alcohol-free all-night celebration that follows graduation ceremonies.

Due to a power outage at Copperas Cove High School on Wednesday, the event was moved to Copperas Cove Junior High School. Activities got underway at 11 p.m. and lasted through 6 a.m. the following morning.

Graduates were able to eat food donated from Bush’s Chicken, Dominos, San Miguel’s Mexican Restaurant, and Chick-fil-A. Tea was also provided by Bush’s and Raising Canes. Every 30 minutes, graduates’ names were drawn at random to win prizes valued at more than $15,000 including laptops, ear buds, $100 gift cards, miniature refrigerators, gift baskets, and more.

Parent Elizabeth Chase and parent/teacher Jeni Carbone-Williams spearheaded the Project Graduation committee to raise the money needed for the event.

“A total of 186 gifts and prizes were awarded thanks to donations from local businesses, organizations, and fundraisers,” Chase said. “While not all were able to win prizes, the night was an unforgettable one as they spent one last night on a CCISD campus with their friends.”

Graduates grooved to music on the dance floor, played games, hosted by CCHS AVID students, like Toilet Paper Basketball, Name That Tune, Cotton Scoop, Balloon Cup Stack, and other various games for prizes, rode a mechanical bull, watched movies, played laser tag, played video games in the game truck, and competed in the 3 on 3 basketball tournament.

“It was such a fun night with all my friends, and it was really nice to be able to hang out with them all night while my parents knew where I was and that I was safe,” graduate Allyssa Kimball said. “It meant so much to us all that even after everything they’ve done for us throughout the years, our parents worked so hard to put together such a great night for us. I walked away from graduation night with so many great memories with my friends, as well as some great prizes for college thanks to Project Graduation. We are all so blessed to receive the support we did from our parents, school, and community on our graduation night allowing us to have fun and stay safe.”