Since 1992
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TURNER — The class of 2022 at Leavitt Area High School has had some pretty tough years, including a junior year that was held remotely without any fundraising for Project Graduation. Now they’re trying to catch up.
This year’s auction and spaghetti dinner will be held Saturday, April 9, at Turner Nezinscot Masonic Lodge 101, 92 Weston Road. Aucution vieing is noon to 1 p.m., with the auction to follow. The spaghetti dinner is 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Project Graduation began in Maine 20 years ago in response to the tragic loss of 18 lives in alcohol and drug related crashes following graduation. During the 1979 commencement period (May 15-June 30) in Maine, seven of the 12 deaths among teenagers that resulted from driving under the influence of alcohol occurred in the area of Oxford Hills. In response to this loss of life, a school-community coalition from Oxford Hills developed and implemented a program called “Project Graduation,” a chemical-free graduation celebration, during the 1979-1980 school year. During Oxford Hills’ 1980 commencement period, there were no fatalities, no alcohol or drug-related injuries, and no arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol. Maine’s first Project Graduation was such a success that many other high schools adopted similar programs. By 1986, Project Graduation activities were held in fifty states. Today the term “Project Graduation” describes an illegal substance free graduation celebration sponsored by the community under the supervision of many adult volunteers.
