Bags for Bucks: Fundraising for Project Grad

Story and Photo by Selah Wheeler – Staff Reporter

 

 As most know, the Class of 2022 graduation will be held on Saturday, May 21st at Children’s Mercy Park. Directly after this is an event called “Project Graduation”, which has been a tradition at Lee’s Summit North for over 15 years. Every year there is a fundraiser hosted by senior parents to raise money for the event.

   Jen Beemer, part of the ELA department at LSN, says that Project Graduation is: “a fun, safe environment to have one last hurrah with classmates. We have food, prizes, inflatables, a DJ, and more to entertain them.”

   Project Graduation originally started in Maine in 1980, after witnessing the loss of 12 teenagers in the area during the commencement period the year before. The program eventually spread nationwide as a way to keep teens safe and sober after graduation.

   “[It] became a model for the nation as a way to keep seniors safe after the commencement ceremony,” Beemer said.

   In order to have the funds to put on this event, the school is selling trash bags until February 22. There are 18-gallon, 30-gallon, 39-gallon, and 55-gallon options, for $12 per roll. A portion of these sales will go toward paying for Project Graduation; buying food, prizes, and entertainment for the party.

   “[We are] using the bags for bucks program to sell trash bags to help fundraise,” Beemer said. “People can go to the LSN website and purchase trash bags, and a portion of the sales will go to helping pay for the event.”

   For those who have bought trash bags for the fundraiser, they will be available to pick up on March 8, 3:00-7:00 pm, during Spring enrollment conferences.