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|| High Country Press Newswire

May 8, 2008 issue

Watauga Seniors Graduate May 30: Support Project Graduation

Story by Jason R. Sakurai

Watauga High School seniors will receive their diplomas on Friday, May 30.
To provide the graduating seniors with an unforgettable celebration, the Project Graduation and Senior Breakfast committees have merged to form the Graduation Events Committee. As in the past, the committee is asking the community to support the events that help honor and protect these graduating students by providing a fun-filled alcohol- and drug-free party after graduation.

Claire Homeier, the graduation events coordinator for Watauga High School said, “In years past, we have received donations in various forms. We’ve received cash donations, food donations, gift certificates and other products. For example, lift tickets, car wash tickets, and fast food gift cards. We have bingo as one of the activities, so we need all types of prizes from very small on up. We also purchase door prizes to use in a drawing. This event costs approximately $20,000 a year, and we cannot do it without the very generous support from our community.”

The Senior Breakfast begins at 10:00 a.m. at ASU’s Panhellenic Hall on graduation day. At the Senior Breakfast, students share their memories of WHS with entertainment, memory boards, a slide show and yearbook signing.
Now in its nineteenth year, Project Graduation is a celebration party at Appalachian State University’s UREC Center for grads and their guests. Project Graduation takes place on graduation evening from 10:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m.

Homeier added, “Businesses, community members, and parents provide donations and services. We appreciate everyone’s support. This year we are still in need of more donations.” Contributions in the form of cash donations, merchandise, products or discounts, are now being accepted and are tax deductible.

Make checks payable to Friends of WHS – Graduation Events and mail them to Graduation Events, c/o Friends of W.H.S., Watauga High School, 400 High School Drive, Boone, NC 28607.

Support from the entire community has made these events possible, and will help to see that they continue. For more information, contact Homeier at 828-264-2407, ext. 249, or homeierc@watauga.k12.nc.us.