Help keep Marble Falls High School’s Class of 2014 safe by teeing off Sept. 14
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — With just the right drive, coupled with a good bounce followed by the perfect roll, you could find yourself cruising on a new personal watercraft.
And just think, you started the day off by just trying to keep the Marble Falls High School Class of 2014 safe following graduation.
The Marble Falls High School Project Graduation is hosting a golf tournament Sept. 21 at Hidden Falls Golf Course in Meadowlakes with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. The four-person scramble format is $65 per person, which includes a green fee, a cart, range balls, prizes and a meal after the tournament.
“This is the first big fundraiser of the year,” said Nita Winslett, co-chair of Project Graduation. “We start so early because we have to raise about $30,000 for the event. It’s a huge deal for the kids.”
Project Graduation is a post-commencement party that provides seniors with a place to celebrate the big night, but in a safe, alcohol-and-drug-free environment. This year, the venue will be the Main Event in San Antonio.
After gradation, participating students will load up on school buses and head for San Antonio and return the next morning.
“It’s all about keeping the kids safe,” Winslett said.
Project Graduation began in the Oxford Hills community of Maine in 1980. The year before, the community experienced a tremendous tragedy when seven teens died because of alcohol- and other drug-related incidents during commencement time. The community offered the class of 1980 an alternative featuring a drug-and-alcohol-free celebration that they billed “Project Graduation.”
Eventually, the concept caught the attention of other communities and spread across the country.
Parents of seniors form the basis of the fundraising effort.
“We have a great bunch of parents this year who are committed to this and really working hard,” Winslett said.
Project Graduation parents and supporters meet the second Monday of each month at the Marble Falls Chamber of Commerce, 916 Second St. in Marble Falls, at 6:30 p.m. Community members and business representatives are always welcome.
People also can check out the group’s Facebook page by searching for “ProjectGrad2014.”
Along with golfers, tournament organizers also are seeking hole sponsorships at $100 each. Participants can even sponsor a hole and register a four-person team for $325.
As for the personal watercraft, the golfer who sinks a hole-in-one could find him or herself hitting the waves on a 2013 Yamaha Waverunner VX Deluxe (trailer included) after the tournament. The winner is responsible for tax, title and license.
For more information on the golf tournament, call Lonnie Tackitt at (830) 265-0800, Patti Mezger at (512) 755-4240 or Hidden Falls Golf Course at (830) 693-3300.
daniel@thepicayune.com