Randolph Commission donates to Project Safe Graduation for EHS

ELKINS -- The Randolph County Commission approved a funding request for Elkins High School's 2024 Project Safe Graduation Thursday.

GFWC Junior Woman's Club President Angie Goff made an informational presentation to commissioners David Kesling, Cris Siler and Chris See, who were present at the meeting.

Goff explained to the commission the importance of the event and that it has been an Elkins tradition for many years.

"The Junior Women's Club sponsors Project Safe Graduation, and this will be year 39 that we have done it in Elkins," Goff said. "I am here today to ask for money to support this party. Your money will go toward the purchase of prizes and offset the cost of the entertainment." 

Project Safe Graduation is an event that helps keep graduating high school seniors safe on graduation night. The celebration is held in a drug and alcohol-free environment. The party typically begins a few hours after graduation and ends early the next morning. A variety of activities, games, dancing, food and prizes are made available to the students attending.

Kesling applauded the efforts of those involved with the planning of the event and made a motion to provide $5,000 to this year's party. Siler and See made the vote unanimous.

"This is a very good event and we have been supporting it for many years," said Kesling. "We appreciate everything that you do. Keep up the good work."

Goff noted that, with membership in the GFWC Junior Woman's Club down from years past, the organization will be reaching out to community members and county officials for help with the event. Local law enforcement officers have attended the party in recent years and will be helping again in 2024.

"Seven to eight young women do this entire party. When I started with the club in 2003 we had 60-plus members and now we are down to under 10," said Goff. "This event is a huge undertaking, because it costs between $12,000 and $16,000 to put on and there is a lot to plan and do."

In the past, close to half of the graduates at Elkins High School attended the event. Goff added that this year's class is smaller than in previous years, which means there may not be as many students attending.

"There are less than 200 seniors at EHS this year and it's one of the smallest they've had come out of Elkins," Goff said. "We anticipate roughly about 50 percent of the kids showing up and they can bring one guest with them." 

Project Safe Graduation will be offered on the Elkins High School graduation night, which is set for May 31. The event will take place at the Phil Gainer Community Center.