Project Graduation is an outstanding example of how the community of Lawrence pulls together for its young people. Since 1996, new high school graduates have had the opportunity to get together one last time at a safe, alcohol- and drug-free celebration. The Lawrence Journal-World gets the ball rolling every year by providing funds for renting party space and offering a $500 scholarship.

This year’s Project Graduation got a special boost from Laird Noller Automotive and Gary Bennett with their donation of a 1989 Jeep Cherokee and from Coldwell Banker McGrew Real Estate and its Realtors Mike Flory, Barbara Hodgson, Russ Lang, Linda Randall and Linda Swain with funds for T-shirts that went to every graduating senior. The Lawrence business community and parents were extremely generous, giving several additional scholarships, a number of fabulous prizes and cash gifts totaling more than $10,000. The staff at The Granada and volunteers from the Lawrence police and sheriff’s departments also graciously stepped in to help.

Last, but not least, we couldn’t throw a party of this magnitude without the cooperation of the school administrators, teachers and resource officers and the hard work of dozens of parent volunteers from all across the city.

Lawrence says congratulations and good luck to its graduating high school seniors who make us proud and grateful.

Bonnie Short,

Jan Criswell

co-chairs

Project Graduation 2002