By Kim Hilsenbeck

Graduating seniors look forward to that last night together as classmates each spring. After the ceremony ends and the photos are taken, the fun begins. But that fun can also turn deadly.

That’s why volunteers groups of parents from high schools across the country have implemented Project Graduation.

 The movement evolved from a tragic event in New England two decades ago. One town witnessed more than half a dozen drunk driving accidents during the graduation season.

 So Project Graduation was born.

At Lehman High School, parent volunteers like Event Chairperson Lisa Tirk get together to host an all-night drug and alcohol free party. It’s not sponsored by the school or the district, though most administrators appear to endorse the event. Funding comes from community support and to a lesser extent, ticket sales.

 “The only way it happens is if parents take it on,” Tirk said recently. “It’s not funded or organized by the school.”

 The mom of senior Joshua, this is Tirk’s third Project Graduation. She had older children and was involved in their Project Graduation events in 2008 and 2010; that year she was a co-chair.

But last year’s graduating class member didn’t get to experience their all night event. No parents stepped up to make it happen. And the previous year, a glitch with the group’s 501(c) 3 nonprofit status led to some fundraising challenges.

Tirk said despite past years’ issues, this year’s event is much better. Community support was great, Tirk said, along with business sponsorship.

“We would not have been able to make the event happen without sponsorships,” she said. “It’s been fantastic.”

Tirk said this year the committee raised more than $9,000 in sponsorship along, coupled with about $4,000 in community fundraising.

And rather than holding the event at Lehman, as was the case a few years ago, this year’s Project Graduation will be at EVO, Kyle’s relatively new entertainment center.

“EVO was able to host the event for $7,500,” Tirk said. “They will close it just for us and the kids will have bowling, a movie, the arcade, music and food.”

For a $35 per person ticket, the students will also get a $25 Visa gift card and an event t-shirt. There will also be raffled prizes throughout the night.

Tirk said prizes include outdoor games, a tent, lawn chairs, river tubes, TVs, Blue-rays, music towers, printers, and some college basics (such as comforters, blankets, etc.).

One other difference this year is Project Graduation normally begins immediately after graduation ends and students must travel to and from the selected location by bus.

This year, Tirk said the Lehman committee decided to begin the event at 11 p.m. and go until 5 a.m.

 “That allows students to be with their parents and other family members after the graduation ceremony ends,” she said.

 Once on site, students will be granted access through one location. And this year, students are able to leave Project Graduation, but they cannot return. In past years, students had to remain at the event in a lock-in situation.

 Also, Tirk said Project Graduation is only open to current Lehman seniors. No one outside of the graduating class will be admitted.

 “We have 13 parents who volunteered to chaperone overnight,” Tirk said. “In addition, a Kyle Police Department officer will be at the site all night.”

 She said that’s part of EVO’s security contract.

 “The event is a no alcohol, no drug zone,” Tirk said.

 But she believes the students will enjoy their time at EVO with their fellow Lobos.

 She cautioned students that they cannot bring anything except phones; purses and bags will be put in a locked room during the event.

 Last week, the Project Graduation committee had sold less than 50 tickets. They are capped at 200 based on their agreement with EVO.

 Tirk said she’s heard a mix of reactions about the event.

 “A lot are excited, and some confused about what it is,” she said, “especially if a student doesn’t have older siblings.”