With graduation season just around the corner, North Haven is busy preparing for Project Graduation, an all night celebration for North Haven High School graduates. Nancy Leddy has been organizing the event for years, but this year, Ron Bathrick stepped up to learn the role.

“They have an excellent system and the kids have enjoyed this for many years,” says Ron, whose twins are in this year’s graduating class. “Nancy has done such a great job of keeping this thing together and expanding it over the years. I only hope I can keep it going.”

Ron has lived in North Haven—minus a few short stints in other towns—since 1970. In 1987, he and his wife Betsy bought a house in town, raising their five children.

“I’ve been in town a long time and now it’s all about giving back,” says Ron, who has worked with the Department of Corrections for 21 years. “It’s a great town and my kids have thrived here.”

A few years ago, Ron responded to an advertisement that Community Services Commission needed volunteers. Now he’s chair of that commission and also on the Board of Ethics.

When his middle daughter graduated from high school a few years ago, he became involved with Project Graduation. As a member of the Community Services Commission, he often heard of Project Graduation.

“I felt like I should get more involved because there was so much going on, but I had no idea there was as much as there is,” says Ron.

Project Graduation begins as soon as the tassels are turned on the graduation caps on Monday, June 13. Graduates board buses and head to Quassy Amusement Park for a North Haven-exclusive evening of rides, games, food, and fun.

“The event is awesome—there is so much entertainment, including a hypnotist and a magician, and so much food with a huge barbecue,” says Ron. “It keeps them running until about 1 a.m.”

After a late night at Quassy, graduates head back to the high school for a big raffle giveaway. This year, the PTA is also sponsoring a hot breakfast.

“The PTA has stepped up in an awesome way,” says Ron. “We have gotten excellent support from the community, but we’re always looking for more raffle prizes. We want to keep those kids interested and make the raffle something where they want to stay until the end to participate.”

Ron notes that Project Graduation is an important event because graduation night has been known for “more tragic things like drunk driving and heavy drinking.” Project Graduation provides a supervised environment for graduates to celebrate their accomplishments. He is happy that in the past about 85 percent of the graduating class has attended, but his ultimate goal is full participation.

“This gives students a safe outlet to revel in their success,” says Ron. “People are understanding the importance of this event and I believe it’ll grow exponentially over next couple years.”

As Ron has worked with the Department of Corrections for more than two decades, he has seen his share of troubled teens. He is grateful that his wife of 29 years was able to stay at home to raise their five children, giving them support over the years.

Ron sees the importance of events such as Project Graduation as more than a safe place to celebrate on graduation night. It is another tool in building teens’ confidence and preparing them for the future.

“It’s so important for them to understand that, even though they’ve graduated and are moving on, the neighborhood is there for them, the community is there for them,” says Ron. “People are here for them in many capacities—whether it’s giving advice, employment, internships, or more, they need to know it’s available to them out there. Just because they’re out of school, they’re not out of our minds.”

As Ron learns to take over the reins for next year, he has been busy with planning and meetings. He recently spoke to the North Haven Rotary; many of that club’s members are actively involved in Project Graduation.

While there are a number of volunteers for the Rotary, Ron said there is always room for more volunteers as there is a wide variety of things to do leading up to, during, and after the event. Volunteer are needed to chaperone, help with the breakfast, clean up after the event, and more.

“If anyone wants to help in any way, they can call me and we’ll figure out what they can and are willing to do,” says Ron. “We’ve gotten excellent support from the community and the Rotary was super enthusiastic.”

Ron has also attended a number of meetings at the school, speaking at the senior assembly and other meetings with the committee and administration at the high school.

“There’s a changing of the guard, so we’re trying to let everyone know who’s involved,” says Ron. “We’re sliding in as a group so that Nancy can fall back a little bit.”

As June 13 is quickly approaching, Ron and the rest of the Project Graduation committee are busy finalizing details and gathering raffle items for this year’s event.

“Hopefully the kids will have the time of their lives,” says Ron. “This is probably the last time they’ll hang out in that whole group. We just want them to be able to get together, enjoy the moment, enjoy themselves, and revel in their successes.”

To volunteer at or donate raffle prizes to Project Graduation, call Ron Bathrick at 203-623-9733.