MAY 14, 2009 ISSUE
WHS Grads Celebrate With Seniorfest June 5
On Friday, June 5, graduates-to-be will gather in ASU’s new dining hall for the senior breakfast from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Following breakfast, the group will walk to the Convocation Center for a rehearsal ceremony. Seniorfest starts when the rehearsal is over. From 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. on June 5, Seniorfest will take place at Watauga High School.
Although the event is now operating under a new name, the annual event celebrating the graduation of Watauga High School seniors is shaping up to be as fun and successful as in years past. This year, students at WHS voted on a new name for Project Graduation, and Seniorfest came out on top. Project Graduation has been a tradition in the area for 20 years, providing seniors with a fun drug- and alcohol-free way to celebrate their graduation night.
The name isn’t the only thing that has changed about the event this year. For 2009, graduation will take place in the morning instead of the evening, so the festivities will be on the night before the ceremony instead of directly after.
“Having Seniorfest the night before gives students more time to celebrate with their relatives after the ceremony. This way they get to do both,” said Claire Homeier, WHS drug and alcohol counselor and project organizer.
Also, in recent years, Project Graduation has taken place in ASUs Varsity Gymnasium. After the demolition of the old Varsity Gym to make way for the new dining facility on campus in 2008, the event moved to ASU’s Recreation Center. Because the center is open to the public on Friday afternoon, Seniorfest will take place on the Watauga High School campus this year. The change means that popular attractions such as the rides and the air walk that couldn’t be utilized in ASU’s Recreation Center will be back this year, which is a definite plus.
Other activities include bingo, a cakewalk, basketball, volleyball, ultimate Frisbee and even a Wii. A few bands from WHS will play, and there will be door prizes.
Norman Cheek, the “little dealer with a big heart,” who passed away this past month, made Project Graduation one of his main philanthropic tasks during his lifetime. This year, his family continued this tradition by donating a surround sound system and a plasma T.V. as a door prize.
Homeier said “We appreciate all of the support the community and the FRIENDS of Watauga have given us to make this project be able to continue. The kids are genuinely excited about it.”
Seniorfest does its part each year to show kids a good, safe and drug and alcohol-free time. It is free to the students and their guests, but costly to put on. If you would like to make a donation to support the event and the class of 2009, checks can be made payable to the FRIENDS of Watauga and mailed to 400 High School Drive, Boone, NC, 28607, ATTN: Claire Homeier.
For more information and/or questions, call Homeier at 828-264-3133 or email homeierc@watauga.k12.nc.us.
Want To Go?
Date: Friday, June 5
Time: 4:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Watauga High School
Cost: Free
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