By Dawn Kempen

Project Graduation

In about a month, high school seniors will celebrate the milestone of graduation. It’s a time of excitement as graduates look forward to life beyond high school.

To help local high school graduates celebrate their accomplishments, Austin High School will again host Project Gradation. This year’s event, “Where the present ends … the future begins,” takes place at the high school at 10 p.m., following commencement on Friday, June 5. The gyms, classrooms and even Knowlton Auditorium will be transformed into various themed rooms with numerous activities, games, food and fun for all attending.

Project Graduation is one of the most anticipated events for Austin graduates. It dates back to 1989 when a group of local parents wanted to offer all graduating seniors in Austin an opportunity to celebrate in a safe, alcohol and drug free environment. This tradition continues to give our seniors a safe and exciting place to celebrate graduation with their classmates.

To continue to put on such a great event each year takes a lot of time, volunteers and money.

Committee members have reached out to the community for donations of money and/or prizes. Austin is an extremely generous community and year after year, local businesses have been incredibly supportive of Project Graduation. We sincerely appreciate the generosity shown to this event.

We also appreciate our volunteers who work for months organizing the details to ensure a memorable event for the graduates.

Jane Oberbroeckling and myself are serving as Project Graduation Chairs this year.

This is my fourth year being part of this event. It is a great night. It is not only fun for the kids but also the volunteers. As a parent of a 2014 graduate it was reassuring to know my graduate had a safe, fun place to spend graduation night. We are so fortunate to be part of a community who supports events like this.

AHS, Pacelli and home-schooled graduates are all invited. Students can get tickets for the event from the cashier’s office at AHS. The price of the ticket includes a fun-filled evening of games, food, beverages and entertainment. All attendees will have a chance to register for many outstanding prizes.

Registration is $40 through May 1, $50 May 1 – June 3 or $60 at the door. Of course, we encourage early registration. Doors open at 10 p.m. and the party continues until approximately 4 a.m.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to this event please send it to: AHS Project Graduation, Angie Ross, P.O. Box 217, Austin MN 55912.

If you have any questions, would like to volunteer to help or would like to donate a prize to be given out that night, please contact Dawn Kempen at 440-6499 or Jane Oberbroeckling at 440-1039.