We need many parent volunteers to help with the planning and execution of this event. Help make your senior's graduation night one they'll never forget and be there yourself, too! You may volunteer to work behind the scenes or assist on Project Graduation night!

What is Project Graduation?
In 1978, the state of Maine launched a pilot program called Project Graduation. The program was responding to the nation's highway fatalities on graduation night that were alcohol-related. In an attempt to prevent deaths during the commencement season, Project Graduation offers a drug- and alcohol-free alternative to target high school seniors, who might choose to celebrate graduation night by drinking and using drugs.

Over the years, other states have tried similar efforts. Project Graduation has enjoyed tremendous success statewide in Tennessee. The goal is to have every high school in the state participate.

In May of 2001, Briarcrest Christian High School celebrated the first-ever Project Graduation for the Class of 2001. With the help of parents, school administrators, faculty, and community participants, Project Graduation can continue to be a tradition our students will look forward to each year.

What do we do for our graduates?
Graduates will be honored with an evening filled with an assortment of food, special entertainment, exciting games, and fabulous prizes. Their night is centered around a special theme that is voted on by the Project Graduation committee and kept secret until the seniors receive their invitations later in the year. Parents and past graduates agree that the secret theme adds mystery and suspense as seniors anticipate Project Graduation night.

To ensure the safety of all students, we verify attendance and request that the graduates check in promptly at 11:00 p.m. and they cannot leave the building until 5:00 a.m.

Project Graduation 2005 was a Huge Success!
99% of the Senior Class Attended!

Your support is tremendously appreciated!

How can you help?
This all-night, lock-in celebration will once again be sponsored by Briarcrest Christian School. Volunteers and financial donations are needed to insure Project Graduation is a success.

How do you make a donation for Project Graduation?
Project Graduation is funded through the Briarcrest Annual Fund. You can donate by:
• Sending a check designated for Project Graduation to the Briarcrest Advancement Office. • Making a credit-card donation through Online Giving on the Briarcrest website.

Online giving is simple. Go to www.briarcrest.com. Click on Gifts to BCS, then Online Giving. You must designate your gift for Project Graduation in the area labeled "please specify" or in the area labeled "Please provide instructions for how this gift should be credited."

If you have any questions about donating financial gifts to Project Graduation, please contact the Advancement Office at 765-4664 or 765-4665.

Volunteers are welcome and needed!
We especially need the help of underclassmen parents, so that the senior parents may spend time with their graduates and family on graduation day.

Volunteers are needed to chaperone and help with set-up and clean-up. Additional information will be coming in January. If you can stay up past 11 p.m. or have creative talents, be ready to volunteer! To sign up to be a volunteer with Project Graduation, email the secretary committee at: Missy Ragan at tmragan@aol.com and Debbie Blaylock at jdblay@aol.com.

If you would like more information about Project Graduation, please contact Tammy Garner at tgarner1@midsouth.rr.com.

2006 Project Graduation Committee Members:
Chairman: Tammy Garner
Secretaries: Debbie Blaylock, Missy Ragan
Decorations: Cheri Howle
Entertainment: Anita Gillespie, Amy Jackson, Deb Wofford
Food: Nancy Larson, Susan Biggs, Lorie White
Ways & Means: Beverly McClatchy, Dianne Reed, Mary Lynne Rote

Comments and Pictures from our Past Graduates:

Andy Greer~Class of 2003 "The event was so outstanding! I remember belting out karaoke with my (still) best friend and watching the looping video montage in the background, attesting to all the memories we had made over our Briarcrest years. A friend of mine wore a T-shirt we had received in 6th grade listing the Class of 2003. My memory of wearing that same shirt so long ago now made me aware that the date, 2003 was finally here. I left those doors of Briarcrest early in the morning for the last time with an appreciation of how far we had all come as a class and how far we could go."

Andy Droke~Class of 2004 "Project Graduation was one of the most memorable nights in high school for me and was truly a perfect ending to my senior year. It was a great time to hang out with all my friends before we went our separate ways. From the blow-up obstacle course to the vast assortment of food, it was probably the most fun thing that we ever got to do inside the school."

Lori Brooks~Class of 2005 "The night/morning was a perfect ending to my high school career. I got a chance to visit with people outside of the regular school setting, and I really made memories with them that will last a lifetime. I will always remember singing karaoke with my best friends, riding the trikes around the entire school, and running around during the scavenger hunt. For a night, we all forgot about the different paths we were about to take and enjoyed each other for one last time."

Kristi Higginbotham~Class of 2005 "Project Graduation is like one huge slumber party with all of your best friends! Just when you think you canít get closer to them, you do. It was awesome. I wish I could graduate again."

Rachel Thompson~Class of 2005 "Wow! What can I say besides the fact that it was the only way to end my incredible Briarcrest experience. Every class grows closer over the years and this is even more evident during the senior year. Project Graduation provided a vehicle for us to say good-bye in a more personal way. Graduation is crazy with parents and relatives and the opportunities to talk to or even see your friends are few and far between. Instead of just wishing each other a happy next ten years after graduation we were able to cram in as much quality insanity as we could into our last night together as a class. As I have begun my college experience some of my fondest senior memories hinge on that one last night of bonding and togetherness."

Jason Ellis~Class of 2005 "Project Graduation was so much fun getting to have one big party with everyone before we went our different ways. I will remember that night for a long time. It was definitely worth the sleep deprivation that ensued me for the next few days afterwards."
Jason's top 5 reasons why Project Graduation was so special:
1. It would be my last time to see Mr. Simpson in an Elvis costume
2. I got to go for free and get all kinds of free stuff just to stay up all night and party
3. I had my ESPN T-shirt torn and received a new printer
4. I got to go home when my parents were getting ready to go to work
And the 5th and best reason is: It was a great night full of memories! Jason concluded his thoughts by saying, "What other way would you want to spend your last night with all of your friends and classmates!"