Schools Gear Up for Project Graduation 2012

Commencement for and seniors is fast approaching. For 2012, the school district once again presents to allow local teens to celebrate—and survive—their milestone.

For more than 25 years, the district's Project Graduation committee has put on an all-night, substance-free party for PHS and PHHS graduates.  The goal is to keep every Parsippany graduating senior safe on graduation night. 

Each high school's event provides a variety of activities and entertainment for kids to enjoy, said committee member and PHHS PTA mom Sandy Nussbaum Giercyk.

"It is a wonderful evening," she said. "The Hills and The High head to separate locations, but our events are 95 percent similar. The kids start in the ball room with dinner and a hypnotist show.  After about an hour they have free reign of  tennis, volleyball,  basketball, swimming, hot tubs and a sauna.   Entertainment provided includes a DJ, bouncy boxing, bungee run, (no stakes) Texas Hold 'Em. And there's a constant supply of food and beverages  throughout the evening."

Adult volunteers including school administrators will be on hand the entire night to chaperone, Giercyk added. 

Project Graduation, she said, is possible through fundraising events and donations and student sponsorships by parents, townspeople and area businesses. The estimated cost of this project is about $125 per student, and includes about 550 students. 

PHHS, at 20 Rita Drive, will hold an All-You-Can-Eat ice cream event in the school cafeteria Saturday, April 21 at 1 p.m. as a fundraiser for its Project Graduation event. The cost is $8 and tickets must be purchased in advance. For more info, send e-mail to phhspro­ggrad12@­aol.­com.

Giercyk said the push is on for sponsors. Businesses and individuals may sponsor a student for $125 or donate whatever amount they wish. Those who sponsor by May 1 will receive public acknowledgement in high school graduation programs, in a local newspaper and on Patch.

Checks should be made payable to: Parsippany Project Graduation, P.O. Box 52, Parsippany, N.J. 07054.

For more information, send e-mail to pthprojectgrads@aol.com.