Point Boro Project Graduation Events Coming Up

Planning and events gearing up for Point Borough's Project Graduation are coming soon and may make the difference between having Project Graduation or not having it.

Project Graduation is a supervised, alcohol-free celebration at The Atlantic Club in Wall following the Point Borough High School graduation in June. Organizers say the event is crucial to help prevent graduates from drinking and driving after graduation.

The planning and fundraiser events leading up to Project Graduation start with:

• An important senior and parent meeting on Feb 6 at in the Point Pleasant Borough High School cafeteria. UPDATE: The time given to Patch will have to be changed, according to what Patch was told late Tuesday morning, and, when it is determined, Patch will post at a later date.
• "All are encouraged to attend as we will be outlining and setting up the fundraising events for the upcoming months," said Nancy Pazienza, a chief organizer and newly elected Borough Board of Education member. "Underclassman students and parents are invited to come to see what it's all about too! We would love to get the junior parents involved now so they know what to expect as their time is coming soon!"

The three major fundraisers lined up in the next three months, which have to be successful to make Project Graduation a reality, are:

• The Project Graduation Adult Social from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sun., Feb. 24 at Marlin's Cafe, Route 35, Point Pleasant Beach. "This is a great time for the adults to get together to have some fun socializing and raise money for a great cause," Pazienza said. "Tickets are $20 ahead of time and $25 at the door with a buffet included and separate cash bar. There will also be a gift auction and 50-50. Last year we had over 230 people attend the event so we are hoping to fill the place up."

• The 3rd Annual Senior vs Staff Basketball game will take place on Thurs., March 28th in the Memorial Middle School gym. The seniors take on the staff and teachers in a fast, fun-filled, exciting game. Admission is $5. The staff leads the series 2-0 so the pressure is on for the Class of 2013 to break that winning record.

• Finally, the spring flower sale runs for the month of April with the pickup on May 4th. "This has always been one of our biggest fundraisers," Pazienza said. "The plants and flowers are always beautiful and high quality. Flowers and plants need to be pre-ordered and paid for. Forms will be coming out in March and can be found online at the school website."

While it may seem like the June graduation date is far away, there are actually less than 100 school days until graduation and that's not much time to do the kind of fundraising needed to make the event a reality.

"Graduation night is the most dangerous night of the year for teens as more teens are killed that night" than any other night of the year, Pazienza said. "Point Pleasant Borough High School has been hosting Project Grad night since 1990, 23 years being at the Atlantic Club.

"High School drug awareness counselor Jim Foley started the event with the help of many staff and community members and has kept it going ever since," Pazienza said.

"Three years ago, a parent group was started to assist in keeping the event going and raise the necessary funds. There used to be grants available to help out with the cost but they have dried up so the cost must be covered totally by students, parents and community efforts.

"There are numerous community organizations, including the town's Municipal Alliance and Point Pleasant PBA, that do provide donations that are very much appreciated. The night at The Atlantic Club is fillled with fun and games including a mechanical bull, velcro walls, sumo wrestling and bungee joisting. Distinctive DJ's George and Jay, graduates of Point Boro, have provided great music for the past few years in an effort to support Project Grad."