Project Graduation

A Drug- and Alcohol-Free Celebration

Project Graduation is a drug- and alcohol-free all night celebration for the graduating seniors from Calvert County's public high schools.  It was established in 1987 as a way to educate and deter young adults from drinking or taking illicit drugs while celebrating this special event.   The program,  initially funded by court fines and coordinated by county staff,  was turned over to CAASA in 1998 when court funding ended .   Since that time, CAASA has raised the nearly $32,000 needed to fund the four events.  

The benefits of Project Graduations are:

• Keeps our graduates off the roads on the night of their graduation.
• Offers a safe option for those who choose to celebrate with friends in this special way
• Since its inception, there have not been any drug- or alcohol-related motor vehicle incidents involving members of our graduating classes on graduation night

Events

• Each public high school organizes and promotes their Project Graduation event. 
• The events are free to seniors.  
• Local school bus contractors and bus drivers volunteer to transport the students to their events.  All student participants must ride the bus to and from their events. 
• All students and chaperones sign an alcohol-free and drug-free contract.
• Depending on the event, Calvert Optimists and Solomons Optimist Club provide food for participants
• Local law enforcement screen students prior to boarding the buses and attend the events as added security

Fundraising

CAASA works year round to raise the $32,000 for Project Graduation.  While the majority of the funding is through fundraising, a small portion comes from a Maryland Highway Safety Office grant.   If the fundraising goal is met, each high school receives $6,500, while $3,000 is put aside for the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner.