Not giving up: BCHS Project Graduation continues seeking gifts and funding for event

Tommy Mann, Jr.

BRIDGE CITY — Most area school districts try to provide a safe and fun environment for its graduating seniors by holding events such as “Project Graduation,” but one area district’s event is in dire straits.

The Project Graduation committee for Bridge City High School is desperately seeking assistance for its 2009 program. Bridge City was one of many devastated communities along the Texas Gulf Coast, and, even after seven months of recovery, progress is visible, albeit slow and steady.

During a Bridge City Independent School District Board of Trustees meeting, Place Six board member Tom Orozco addressed fellow board members on the hardships faced by this year’s Project Graduation committee.

“Project Graduation is looking for assistance this year, like never before,” Orozco said. “We are wanting to make it a safe and fun night for our students, but, like so many other organizations, donations are hard to come by right now. People and organizations are still giving, but it’s in smaller increments this year due to the hurricane.”

John Gothia, president of the Bridge City High School Project Graduation committee, also said the hurricane has significantly impacted the amount of donations and contributions.

“Door prizes are a big part of any Project Graduation night event,” Gothia said. “Typically, we would have 100 prizes to give out to students. We only have 10 so far.”

Gothia said during a normal year, the BCHS Project Graduation committee would raise approximately $35,000 and as much as $70,000. Through the school year so far, the committee has been fortunate to scrape together $11,500.

“Earlier this year we sent out 600 request letters seeking donations,” Gothia added. “That list was generated from our past donors. We received 80 back with donations. People in and around Bridge City are struggling, and it’s understandable many businesses and individuals cannot do for us what they have done in the past.”

Gothia is not trying to make people feel bad, but only trying to make them understand the situation the committee is in and how it affects the students.

“Door prizes are the things which really convince the kids to come out for this event,” Gothia continued.

The funds raised by the Project Graduation committee are used to cover expenses such as entertainment and food, but also help purchase big door prizes. Previous years’ prize items have included laptop computers, flat screen televisions, stereos, electronics, and gift cards and gift certificates.

Prize drawings are held throughout the course of the night. This encourages students to arrive early and enjoy the festivities, which are being held in the cafeteria at the high school. Once a student arrives at Project Graduation, the student is not allowed to leave until the following morning at the end of the event.

This year’s students will enjoy a crawfish boil as the menu’s main course for the night, which Gothia said was the overwhelming request by students from a survey held earlier in the school year.

“We know this is something many of the students really look forward to, and we just want it to be the best it can be,” Gothia said.

For more information on how you can assist BCHS Project Graduation, e-mail bchs2009pg@aol.com or contact John Gothia at 409-882-1217.



Tommy Mann Jr. is a reporter for The Orange Leader. He can be reached at 409-883-3571, Ext. 2619 or tmann@orangeleader.com

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