Kearny High School’s Project Graduation committee is already working on fundraising for next year’s drug- and alcohol-free party for the school’s graduating seniors. The average cost is just under $30,000 and each student pays a small stipend of $15 to reserve a seat on the bus. That leaves a balance of $24,000 to be raised.
In an effort to raise awareness of the group and activities that are planned, a Facebook page has been set up under the banner Kearny High Project Graduation, where the list of events Steve Dyl, Kearny’s fire chief who also serves as the President of Project Graduation committee, was able to provide.
The first is a Dec. 8 bus trip to Sands Casino and Outlet Mall in Bethlehem, Pa., which leaves from Kearny Federal Savings Bank, 614 Kearny Ave. at 8:30 a.m., and arrives back about 6 p.m. The cost is $30, and you receive $20 slot dollars and a $5 food voucher.
For tickets or more information, contact Judy Hyde at 201-991-5812 or email jh519@aol.com.
Jan. 30 is the first major meeting of the year where the committee looks to have as many underclassman parents join the parents of this year’s graduates. At this meeting, the various sub-committees are explained and volunteers are sought for each.
There is no requirement to attend every meeting or be at every fundraiser, as we can use people for an hour or every hour — whichever works best. Meetings take place the last Thursday of each month at Kearny High School.
Feb. 23 is a bus trip to Atlantic City.
April 25 is a town wide volleyball tournament, which will see the Town of Kearny defend its 2013 title against teams from the Kearny Police and Fire departments, the Kearny Board of Education and the staff of each of the schools.
The single largest fundraiser is a 50/50, which kicks off mid-December with the drawing on graduation night, June 20. This year’s goal is to raise $10,000 from the 50/50 which would also give the winner $10,000. Tickets are $10 each.
The 2013 winner received just under $9,000.
Project Graduation is a town-wide event that began in Kearny in 1996 as a safer alternative to private house parties. The idea was been prompted by a serious graduation-night car crash on Kearny Avenue, in which several teens were injured.
For more information, send an email to projectgrad@kearnyschools.com.
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Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, an organization he has served since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on social media channels such as YouTube, Facebook, and X, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to Kearny to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.