How Project Graduation Was Created 35 Years Ago Right Here in Maine

Project Graduation is a nationwide effort to make sure graduating seniors have a safe and chem-free place to celebrate. It's an all night event that has spread across the country that got its beginnings 35 years ago right here in Maine at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. 

Project Graduation came about after a string of tragic teenage deaths and injuries from April to June of 1979 in the Oxford Hills area, most of which were attributed to driving under the influence. The most tragic was when five teenagers were killed after the driver of a car turned onto Greenwood road in Locke Mills, missed the bridge and plunged into the stream below.

The residents of the Oxford Hills wanted to find a way to prevent these tragedies and created Project Graduation. It offered graduates a fun place to celebrate all night long under adult supervision and with no alcohol or drugs. The first Project Graduation was held on June 14th, 1980 and there were no drug or alcohol related fatalities or arrests that year.

I remember my Project Graduation and I had a great time. It's such a great program that got started right here at my alma mater.

To keep it going though takes money and volunteers from the community. If you can get involved in any way in your local school's Project Graduation, I encourage you to do so.

If you live in Gray-New Gloucester, stop by the Gray McDonald's today (May 18th) from 5-8PM. They are donating 20% off sales for the three hours to the Gray-New Gloucester High School Project Graduation.

Do you have an upcoming fundraiser for your school's Project Graduation? We'd love to hear about it. Share it with us in the comments below or on Facebook and Twitter.