Sonoma County Project Graduation was founded in 1987 in response to increasing drug and alcohol use among students on their graduation night – statistically the most dangerous night of the year for young people. Inspired by an alcohol and drug free party thrown by Sonoma Valley High School, the very first Project Grad was organized for five Santa Rosa schools by a group that included CHP officers, MADD members, 4H representatives, and other community leaders. Since then, the efforts have spread from the Santa Rosa district to eighteen schools across Sonoma County. Although the schools all work under the umbrella of the Sonoma County Project Graduation board, each school puts on its own party with its own theme, on or off campus. The party generally lasts from 9 PM on Graduation night to 4 AM the following morning and is fully chaperoned by volunteer parents and community members. For many students, the party is the last event that draws the graduating class together (over 80% of seniors attend the party). Past party activities have included casino games (using script), karaoke, hypnotist and magic shows, professional hair and makeup service, temporary tattoos, massages, and raffles (for prizes such as TVs, computers, DVD players, bikes, and gift certificates.) Of course there’s lots of music, dancing, food and soft drinks too. The goal of Sonoma County Project Graduation is to provide outgoing seniors with a substance free celebration to commemorate their graduation – and to ensure that they all live to see the sunrise. Project Graduation is a 100% volunteer organization.
