Although in its 23rd year, East Peoria Community High School’s Project Graduation has not lost its momentum.
The all-night event May 15, which caters to graduating seniors, has raised nearly $8,000 this year, according to event leader and teacher Zach Fleming. Last year, $7,000 was raised.
“The fundraising has gone way above my expectations this year especially with the economy being the way it is,” Fleming said. “The goal is to keep students safe and to throw them a party to celebrate their accomplishments.”
So far, individuals and businesses have donated a variety of prizes, such as TVs, refrigerators, GPS systems and iPods, among others.
“Every graduating senior that comes, we have them leave with a $20 or $30 gift,” he said.
Fleming said besides giving away food and prizes, a major goal of the event is to keep students away from underage drinking.
“We have a pretty good majority that come,” he said. “We are expecting 250 to graduate, and we are shooting for 200 to come.”
Last year, the event drew about 175 graduating seniors.
Nate Joseph, a senior, said he is looking forward to the event.
“When I was a freshman or a sophomore, I’d be talking to my senior friends who would go, and I’d ask, ‘Why are you doing that? Don’t you have better things to be doing that night?’” Joseph said. “But this is the last time we will all be together; that’s the thing I’m looking forward to the most.”
Joseph added the prizes are definitely a perk.
“I’ve been eyeballing some of them,” he said.
Cole Nieukirk, a senior, seconded his classmate.
“It’s a cool way to get us all together as a class,” he said. “If we didn’t have this, we’d all be out in different little groups.”
For the first year, the event, which will run from 11 p.m. May 15 to 5:30 a.m. May 16, will take place in the new cafeteria, Fleming said. Activities include sporting tournaments, a casino and bingo room in the commons area and a DJ with a karaoke machine.
“It lets these seniors see just how much support is out there in the community,” Fleming said.
To contribute to the event, contact Fleming at flemizac@ep309.org, or mail it to the high school at 1401 E. Washington St., East Peoria, IL 61611.
