Casa Grande High School Project Grad

Dear Potential Community Volunteer~

You are invited to be part of Casa Grande High School Project Graduation. Sonoma County's Project Grad. 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 and other community leaders. Since then, the efforts have spread from the Santa Rosa district to fifteen 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, on or off campus. Casa Grande and Petaluma High share their venue, Luchessi Center. Casa's party this year will last from 9 p.m. on graduation night to 4:00 a.m. the following morning and is fully chaperoned by volunteer parents and community members. Yes, this is where you come in! We will need about 150 volunteers!

 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, barbeques, DVD/BluRay players, GoPro cameras, kayaks, 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.

 Sonoma County Project Graduation is a 100% volunteer organization.

 It truly takes a village to put together this big a party! There are a variety of volunteer opportunities, so please take a moment to see if  you and your family or friends can lend a hand and be part of this valuable project. Please email me at vickipetaluma@sbcglobal.net with to learn more or with any questions. All volunteers must be at least 21 years of age. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration in volunteering to be part of this nearly 30 year community tradition, so that we can give our graduating seniors a safe celebration that they will remember always!

 With sincere appreciation,

 Vicki Olivas Navarro, Casa Grande High School

Project Graduation Volunteer Coordinator