By NORINE ROWE
NAS Patuxent River Public Affairs Department

PATUXENT RIVER NAVAL AIR STATION, MD-Naval Air Station Patuxent River helped hundreds of high school graduates celebrate their hard-earned diplomas during the last several weeks in a safe, fun environment by hosting a series of alcohol- and drug-free parties in the station drill hall.

As part of a program called Project Graduation, graduating seniors from St. Mary's and Calvert counties traded their caps and gowns for T-shirts and jeans, to leave commencement ceremonies behind and begin a night of fun that included bowling, swimming, basketball, volleyball, softball, an obstacle challenge and even laser tag.

Following the traditional hugs and snapshots with family members and friends, the new graduates changed clothes and then piled onto school buses headed for the naval air station. Once the buses arrived, the students eagerly disembarked for a night of revelry that would last into the wee hours of morning.

In addition to a complete menu of fun activities, graduates and guests enjoyed music and dancing as well as plenty of free food and beverages. The only things missing from the all-night party were the drugs and alcohol so often associated with graduation parties and other youthful rites of passage.

Project Graduation is not just a one-night party, but a year-long drug program which educates young people about the perils of underage drinking, the deadly mix of drinking and driving and the dangers of illicit drug use. Planning for the event is conducted by a steering committee at each high school comprised of students and a faculty advisor. Early in their senior year, the students tour the drill hall at Pax River and make a video that will be shown in school homerooms to promote Project Graduation.

Before attending the Project Graduation party at NAS Patuxent River, students and guests must sign a contract agreeing to remain alcohol-free and drug-free before, during and after the parties. The graduates and guests also agree to arrive and depart by bus from their school parking lots.

The party typically lasts until 3 a.m. or later, well after local bars and liquor stores have closed, helping to ensure the graduates will remain sober and safe.

The St. Mary's County Office of Community Services coordinates Project Graduation for St. Mary's County State's Attorney Richard D. Fritz. Funding for this alcohol and drug abuse prevention program is provided by the State's Attorney's Office using funds donated by persons who have committed minor traffic violations in lieu of receiving points on their licenses.

While attendance at the Project Graduation party is strictly optional, a large number of graduates elect to take part in the event.

"I was very pleased with this year's turnout," said Joseph Donick, drug and alcohol abuse prevention coordinator for the St. Mary's County Office of Community Services, who reported that 73 percent of this year's local graduates attended the Project Graduation parties at Pax.

Donick explained that one of the big draws for students is the quality of facilities and variety of activities available at the station's drill hall.

"This program can't work effectively without the use of the drill hall," Donick said, "and we can't thank the naval air station enough for the tremendous contribution it is making to the safety and well-being of the youth of St. Mary's County."

NAS Patuxent River has hosted Project Graduation parties in southern Maryland every year since the program's beginning in 1984, except when the drill hall was undergoing renovations several years ago. In addition to providing recreational facilities for Project Graduation, the naval air station provides support personnel including lifeguards, bowling center staff and gym attendants.

Also contributing to the success of Project Graduation are many community volunteers, including members of the local Sheriff's Office and Maryland State Troopers who served as chaperones. Volunteers from local Optimists Clubs also provided food and beverage service for all Project Graduation parties on station.

High schools taking part in this year's Project Graduation included Ryken, Great Mills, Chopticon and Leonardtown high schools from St. Mary's County and Patuxent and Calvert high schools from Calvert County.

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