Guilford High School’s Project Graduation event is once again set to allow graduating seniors to celebrate their accomplishments in a safe and fun atmosphere. This year’s event will occur in Stamford and will be on graduation night, June 16, and organizers are seeking resident collaboration to help ensure the funds are there to pull off what has become an increasingly expensive effort.

According to event co-chair Amy Paris, Project Graduation is a national effort to provide graduating seniors with a fun, safe and substance-free place to celebrate their last night together as high school students. This year, the event is an all-night celebration at Chelsea Piers, a sports complex in Stamford, and begins shortly after the graduation ceremony on June 16.

Paris said the night is full of fun activities, entertainment, food, giveaways, and memories that will last a lifetime.

“This has been going on in Guilford for a very long time, so it’s really become a tradition,” said Paris. “This year, they will board buses at the high school and head to Chelsea Piers in Stamford. Especially as a parent of a graduating senior, it’s really comforting to know that my daughter and her friends will have something safe and fun to do that night. I think it gives parents a lot of peace of mind.”

Paris said she and fellow co-chair Sarah Celotto hope the generous Guilford spirit will continue for Project Graduation 2023.

“The Guilford community has always played an integral part in making Project Graduation a success. We are a self-supporting organization, as we do not receive any financial support from the Guilford school system. We have been reaching out to local business owners, neighbors, and friends to ask for donations to offset the cost of our event,” said Paris. “Our goal this year is to raise $18,000. Although we will accept donations at any time, it would really help us with our planning to receive donations by March 31. Your donations will go directly to Project Graduation and fund items such as our costs at Chelsea Piers, food, bus transportation, and entertainment.”

According to Paris, students have a very positive perception of the project, and it draws in almost the entire student body.

“I’d say about 80 to 90% of the seniors go to this event. It’s a lot. And this year, the class is about 289 kids, and they are a very close-knit bunch and a great group of kids,” Paris said. “The parents have also stepped up to help whenever we’ve needed them throughout the years.”

The event is not immune to economic factors, however. Rising costs across the board have contributed to an increased expense for this year’s event.

“This year has gotten really expensive. The costs for everything, as we all know, are going up. Just the cost of the venue has doubled since last year,” Paris explained. “But it is well worth it; the kids love it, and it’s become a tradition they look forward to. Guilford is fantastic…they are so very generous all the time, and I think they realize how important this is, and they really care about the kids. We feel the love.”

Residents and businesses can donate in any amount or donate at one of the tiered levels of support. As an expression of our gratitude, all donors will be recognized on the organization’s Facebook page and in a full-page ad in the Guilford Courier.

“This is our way of letting the community know of your support and commitment for the graduating class of 2023 and this special event,” said Paris.

In addition to donations, Project Graduation organizers are also hosting several events for spring, including the sale of Class of 2023 yard signs and the popular Flamingo Flocking Fundraiser. A Project Graduation car wash is scheduled for Sunday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Palumbo’s Automotive, 1099 Boston Post Road, Guilford.

For more information about donating to Project Graduation contact Paris at amyaparis@gmail.com or Celotto at scc1975@comcast.net. Donations may be made at https://go.rallyup.com/2023-ghspg-donation. Yard signs are available at https://go.rallyup.com/2023-yard-sign.