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ELKINS -- The Randolph County Commission approved a pair of funding requests during its most recent meeting at the James F. Cain Courthouse Annex for two organizations seeking money for high school graduation parties.
Tygarts Valley Lions Club member Steve Currence was the first to speak to Commissioners Cris Siler, David Kesling and Chris See. Currence talked about the importance of having a graduation party for the seniors at Tygarts Valley High School on graduation night.
"We've been sponsoring these graduation parties roughly since 1989, and the parties started after the death of a student on graduation night," said Currence. "We would like you guys to come by the YMCA and look at what we do every year at the party. We give the students a lot of different things to do in a safe environment."
Currence said this year's graduation party for Tygarts Valley High School will be May 30.
"I think this year we have 64 graduates, and usually between 80 and 90% of those graduating come to the party," Currence said. "We use some underclassmen to help set up the event, that way they can see what it's all about and want to come themselves when they are seniors."
See praised Currence and the Tygart Valley Lions Club for the continuous effort with the annual party.
"The graduation parties are great, they help keep the kids safe and it gives them something fun to do on graduation night," See said. "We appreciate everything your organization does to help with this event."
All three commissioners unanimously voted to support the TVHS graduation party in the amount of $2,000. The money will be taken from the county's courthouse contractual line.
Olivia Dayton, a social worker in Randolph County, followed Currence on the meeting's agenda, representing the senior class at Harman High School and its upcoming graduation party.
"The GFWC (Junior) Woman's Club of Elkins helped start this event for the graduating class in Harman and we are looking to help continue that tradition," said Dayton. "The celebration party will be held at the school following graduation and there will be prizes and entertainment for the students. The purpose of this event is to give the students a fun and safe environment to spend their last night after graduation."
Dayton said the graduation party is funded solely by donations from local organizations, and that all of the graduating seniors will leave the party with a prize.
"We do realize and consider the state of the economy and we are making every effort to plan accordingly," Dayton said. "We've always appreciated the support of the county commission and rely on its funding to be able to hold the safe graduation event."
Dayton added there are nine seniors graduating with this year's class at Harman. She said the event was open for other students, but underclassmen were not permitted to stay for the entire party. The party will be on graduation night May 29.
The commissioners unanimously voted to support the party in the amount of $2,000. That money will be taken from the county's courthouse contractual line.
The next Randolph County Commission meeting will be May 16 beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the Cain Annex.