By DEBBI FINCHER

Often, high school graduation is viewed by many as a chance to celebrate with drinking alcohol or using illegal substances. Thankfully, our community once again stepped up to help offer our graduating seniors another option: Project Grad Night, an all-night, alcohol and drug-free party exclusively for them!

With participation over 94 percent each year from the senior class, the buy-in is huge. What makes this so powerful is the students have made a conscious choice to enjoy their graduation night without drugs or alcohol. In the end, only the students can make the decision for themselves. According to the 2008 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey, “About two out of three seniors choose not to drink alcohol.”

Project Grad Night is the community at its best. Students, parents, local business owners and community members come together to support our youth in helping to make healthy choices. Not only will this positive influence be felt on grad night, but it is our hope they will continue to make decisions about how they want to celebrate other “special passages” as they move into adulthood and the decisions it will require.

Graduating seniors are whisked off 10 minutes after their graduation ceremony on to a thrilling, fun and engaging night of activities. Planning was been in the works for the past year for the 2010 graduating seniors.

In 2007, Project Grad Night was first introduced on San Juan Island. Parent volunteer, Joyce Stimpson, was involved from the start and continues to help facilitate the program. Her son Loch, Friday Harbor High School Class of 2007, said, “It was nice of Project Grad Night to take the stress off of the kids to come up with a party because there was already one planned.”

Each year, the planning committee of senior parents try to keep the events a surprise making the night that much more intriguing and safe. Because it is a surprise, it gives the students the feeling of a “natural high.” Events in past years have included “sumo wrestling,” a game of “Survivor” on Jones Island, and a sunrise cruise aboard the whale-watch boat Odyssey.

Graduate Loch added, “I think the feeling of doing something as a class for the last time gets understated far too much with this experience.”

This is a night to remember — alcohol- and drug-free. Graduation night is supposed to be fun, not fatal. Those graduating seniors deserve a huge congrats as we send them on their way that night — they’ve already shown great wisdom in their plans for their big night out!

Much gratitude goes out to the many volunteers and donors who give their time, talents and resources to make this happen. The San Juan Island Prevention Coalition supports this program, but it’s through fund-raising efforts by senior parents and the students in our community that make Project Grad Night a reality!

Here’s to a healthy future for the 2010 graduating seniors!

— Online: Grad Night Web site