By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
With plans being finalized for an epic Yukon High School graduation celebration, a much-anticipated special event will make its long-awaited return this Saturday.
Yukon Project Graduation’s Potato Bar will be rolled out from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 25 at Yukon Masonic Lodge #90, 1201 E Main.
After being postponed in recent years due to COVID-19 restrictions, the popular potato bar fundraiser will once again be presented by the Yukon Masons.
“They stay up all night to prepare the potatoes for us,” Yukon Project Graduation President Danielle Yarbrough said. “We really appreciate the Masonic Lodge for everything they do to help.”
Yukon Project Graduation volunteers will be on hand Saturday to serve the baked potatoes with a variety of toppings – bacon bits, cheese, sour cream, and more. Drinks will be available to wash down the tasty spuds, and Nothing Bundt Cakes will be on sale for dessert.
Potato bar tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
Funds raised will support the Yukon Project Graduation committee, which is planning an overnight “big event” on May 19-20 in El Reno.
“We’re back at Redlands Community College,” Yarbrough said.
Several other fund-raising benefits will be staged to raised funds to cover the costs of the huge graduation night party.
Highlights will be an annual auction on Thursday, April 13 at the high school, 1777 S Yukon Parkway.
“We’re going to try to go back to having live and virtual options,” Yarbrough said. “Right now, we would prefer to have both.”
Also coming up this spring will be a restaurant dine-out night and a luminary walk.
Sales of red and gray Yukon 73099 sweatshirts ($30 each) also benefit YHS Project Graduation 2023.
BUILDING MEMORIES
Yukon Project Graduation organizers anticipate having some 400 members of the YHS Class of 2023 attend the May festivities at Redlands.
“This is a great event for the kids,” Yarbrough said. “It’s a way to keep them safe and have one last night with all of their high school friends before everyone goes their separate ways. This may be the last time they ever see some of their classmates.
“Having one last night for them to build memories in a safe environment is super-important.”
Participants will be bussed from the YHS campus after receiving their diplomas during the annual commencement ceremony Friday night, May 19 at Miller Stadium. More than 600 Yukon seniors are due to graduate.
“We’ll pick them up after graduation and take them to Redlands Community College,” Yarbrough said. “Once there, we’ll have all kinds of fun activities for them to do.”
There will be a disc jockey, casino room, midway games, karaoke, prize drawings, food, and some new surprises.
Other members of the YHS Project Graduation 2023 committee are Cindi Horton, Kendra Pace and Kelly Stogsdill.
HOW TO HELP
YHS parents are needed to help with the 2023 Yukon Project Graduation event and upcoming fund-raisers.
“We are having some trouble getting volunteers,” Yarbrough said. “We have a core group that’s great, but we need more.
“We welcome anyone who can donate money or items like gift baskets for the auction. … We thank the community at-large for supporting this event for so long and helping us keep our kids safe.”
Yarbrough specifically mentioned members of the decorating committee who have volunteered their services – some for more than 30 years.
Yukon Project Graduation started in May 1991 as a safe, alcohol- and drug-free party for new YHS graduating seniors.
That mission continues to this day.
“Our ultimate goal is to keep the kids safe,” Yarbrough added. “We want them to be able to have fun in a safe environment where parents don’t have to worry about where their kids are or if they’re really where they say they are.
“This way, the kids are protected. And they’re in an environment where they can have fun, they can let loose, and they can celebrate without any outside influences that might not be so great.”
For more information, visit Yukon High School Project Graduation 2023 on Facebook or e-mail yukonprojectgraduation1991@gmail.com.
