Partying Graduation Night – Project Graduation gives graduates fun, safe time

The Civic Center gymnasium was filled with activity, and loud music, Friday night following high school graduation. According to attendance records, 446 students were present, including 272 graduating seniors.

?What a night,? said Terrie Kirby, one of many Project Graduation organizers. ?I thought it was a great turnout. We gave away $33,000 in prizes and cash, and what?s amazing is we raised that at a time when our community isn?t doing the best.?

Thanks to the generosity of local businesses and individuals, several TVs, laptop computers, desktop computers and camcorders were given away. The final drawing of the night ? held at 4 a.m. ? featured a grand prize of $500.

Graduate Jonathan Morris said playing basketball was one of his best high school memories so it was appropriate he took some time to shoot baskets during Project Graduation.

?It will be good to get out in the world,? said Morris, who plans to attend Lincoln Memorial, a small school north of Knoxville. ?I want to get into wildlife management. I go hunting and fishing all the time.?

Graduate Davey Odineal said he plans to attend MTSU in the fall and hopes to become an actor. Graduate Talekia King, who had the privilege of singing the national anthem at graduation, says she will attend Tennessee Tech to pursue a physical therapy career.

Not all the graduates are headed off to college. Josh Dishman says he?s eager to join the workforce.

?I think I have a job lined up at Holland?s in Smithville doing welding,? said Dishman. ?I?m calling on Monday.?

As for the Project Graduation activities, there was everything from air hockey to card games to provide entertainment. The sumo wrestling activity, featuring giant inflatable suits, was probably the most popular. It maintained a long line all night.

Outside of the fast-paced action and blaring music in the Civic Center gymnasium, it was more peaceful in other areas. There were two Bingo rooms to give teens a bit of a break, and there were tables groaning with food in the concessions area.

Overall, Kirby said there were 446 people in attendance, including 272 seniors from WCHS and six seniors from Boyd. Each senior had the option of bringing one guest.