St. Mary's to host 40th annual Project Graduation

After they get a chance to throw their caps in the air, St. Mary’s County high school graduates will be able to unwind during the 40th annual Project Graduation.

The free night of fun and festivities will be held at the Morale Welfare and Recreation Center at Naval Air Station Patuxent River from about 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. following each school’s commencement.

“It is absolutely a super cool thing for seniors to do,” Grant Coordinator/Diversion Programs Manager Jessika Hall of the Office of the State’s Attorney for St. Mary’s County said in a telephone interview. “I think it’s a great way for them to celebrate and come together as a class and really have that last hurrah as they graduate.”

Chesterton Academy, The King’s Christian Academy, Leonard Hall Jr. Naval Academy, and St. Mary’s Ryken High School will hold their Project Graduation on Tuesday, May 28, followed by Chopticon High School (May 29), Leonardtown High School (May 30) and Great Mills High School (May 31).

Students are allowed one guest aged 21 or younger and can register at their respective high school.

Hall said approximately 1,419 students and guests attended last year’s Project Graduation.

Some of the activities planned for this year include bowling, an mobile escape room, basketball, obstacle course, swimming, movies, a gaming trailer, volleyball, a DJ and dancing and a bungee run.

“Everything went pretty smoothly last year,” Hall said, “so we’re trying to replicate that for this year.”

The event is a collaboration between the St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, local high schools, St. Mary’s sheriff’s office, Maryland State Police Leonardtown Barrack, county government, local volunteer rescue squads, the county health department, local Optimist Clubs and numerous volunteers.

“We work with so many different partners,” Hall said. “It’s really amazing to see something like this come together and have the people on board and helping.”

In 1984, then State’s Attorney Walter Dorsey first established Project Graduation to provide students with a safe and fun way to recognize graduates’ achievements, while also abstaining from alcohol and drugs.

“All the kids are mingling with each other and having fun,” Hall said. “They really jump right into it.”