By Talyn Jaques
Contributing Writer
The public is invited to attend two upcoming benefits to support Yukon High School’s safe all-night graduation celebration.
Yukon High School presents the annual Project Graduation overnight Tuesday, May 19 at Redlands Community College in El Reno.
The post-commencement tradition began in 1991, three years after a tragic accident that lead to the death of Heather Baldwin due to drinking and driving.
This brought parents together to create a safe environment for their children to celebrate a new start in life.
On the night of Project Graduation, Yukon’s new graduates will be bussed from the YHS campus to Redlands around 10 p.m. where there will be an abundance of activities – a casino room to inflatables, bingo, trivia, entertainment, and more.
There will be prizes and giveaways throughout the night.
To be able to have this event, YHS Project Graduation committee members have put together several fundraisers.
Two major events are coming up.
This includes an annual auction dinner coming up on Saturday, March 7 at the YHS cafeteria, 1777 S Yukon Parkway. Pay a $10 fee for a dinner plate and to participate in the auction.
The annual Yukon Project Graduation Potato Bar will be Saturday, April 18 at the Yukon Masonic Lodge, 1201 E Main. Pay $10 for “all-you-can eat” potatoes, drinks and dessert.
Other fund-raisers to support YHS graduating seniors have been Miller apparel sales and an annual fall bingo night.
GIVING TO HELP GRADS
“If there are any local businesses that can help donate… everything is very much appreciated,” Yukon Project Graduation President Janet Bell.
The donations can consist of any household item that could help the graduates move out on their own. In previous years, donations have consisted of bedding, vacuums, tool sets, televisions, gift certificates, and so much more.
All donated items will be put into baskets and auctioned off or will be used as prizes and giveaways during the night of the May 19th Yukon Project Graduation.
All money donated will be used to provide food and drinks as well as a fun safe night for the graduates.
Donations may be mailed to: YHS Project Graduation, P.O Box 851034, Yukon, OK 73085. To donate funds to the event, go to HTTP//PayPal.com/YHSPG
YHS Project Graduation was established to provide an experience where the new graduates can celebrate somewhere safely where they won’t get into trouble, or worse.
The graduation-night celebration also gives students the chance to win items they can take with them to have a head start on their new lives.
Typically, about 90 percent of each year’s YHS graduating class celebrates the night together at Project Graduation – thanks to the community’s help and efforts by hard-working committee members.
