The class of 2025’s project graduation event has been replaced with a field trip to Frogbridge Daycamp. The senior trip will be on Tuesday, May 20.
What is Project Graduation?
For years, project graduation has been an annual tradition organized by Mrs. Paloti and the JFK Parent Faculty Forum. It was held at the Edison YMCA on the night of graduation day as a last “hurrah” for the senior class.
Seniors would be told that their destination is “undisclosed,” and would file onto the Woodbridge Township buses at 9 p.m. At their “surprise destination,” they would be able to engage in pool activities, bouncy houses, psychic readings and more for a fun-filled night. The event was intended to provide a safe and memorable environment post-graduation without the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Decision-Making
After consideration by Woodbridge Township administration, project graduation was first removed from Woodbridge and Colonia High School as their students had to pay to attend, and it was expensive.
At the beginning of this school year, JFK followed suit and removed Project Grad as an activity.
Along with expenses of the buses and liabilities, parents and staff were concerned about students pulling all-nighters and then driving themselves home at 5 a.m. There was also discussion about how the graduates would technically no longer be JFK students.
The New Class Trip
The trip to Frogbridge Daycamp is a free event for seniors, including pools, water slides, lake activities, sports, buffet lunch, snacks and a DJ.
Mrs. Paloti, and senior class advisors ,Mr. Wilton and Mrs. Dellaserra, were upset that Project Grad was taken away from the seniors and wanted to do something special for them to end the school year before entering the summer.
This year, the trip was an impromptu decision and was planned within a two week frame, therefore, the PFF want to be able to thoroughly plan it starting next year.
Seniors’ Thoughts
The decision to eliminate project graduation was met with mixed reactions from the senior class.
“It’s very disappointing because it’s [Project Grad] a last fun thing for seniors to do and come together, but I can understand the health and safety concerns that come along with it,” senior Luke Berard says. “I think the trip is a good replacement for Project Grad, but if it wasn’t this specific location, then I think I would much rather have Project Grad.”
While some seniors saw both sides of the debate over Project Grad, some solely felt that it was unfair that it was being taken away.
“I feel like it’s unfair for us because previous seniors got to experience this [Project Grad], and it’s our last night together before we go our separate ways, and now we can’t even experience that,” senior Krisha Nayee says.
Another senior, Keya Patel, was in agreement on Nayee’s response.
“It’s kinda sad because coming in from freshman year, we knew it was a tradition to end off senior year, but we don’t get that chance anymore,” Patel says. “I’m glad they gave us a trip rather than nothing, but I don’t think it would be as fun as Project Grad.”
Both Patel and Nayee agreed on the fact that they would rather have Project Grad as it would be more fun.
