Aiken High graduates Devantae Gaiters and Antwan Bryant got into a "fight" early Saturday morning - not that inflatable boxing gloves could do any damage.
They had received their diplomas at a commencement program Friday morning. Without any formal plans that night, Gaiters and Bryant decided to try out the annual, all-night Project Graduation party. They agreed they made the right decision.
For nearly 20 years, volunteers have organized the event to attract Aiken and South Aiken High School seniors to have fun in a way that is alcohol-free and can keep them safe and off the highway.
The students had their choice of competitive inflatables, as well a casino with card games and a roulette wheel with lots of fake money. They also could enjoy lots of food and a Zumba marathon later in the night. About 250 students participated this year - about 40 percent of the graduates from both schools.
Two other Aiken High graduates, Madison Sutton and Alisha Smith, heard about Project Graduation during a school assembly.
"We thought we could do this and have one last hurrah," Sutton said.
The program's roots began in 1995, when Aiken resident Becky Lock lost her son, David, in a traffic accident. That led her to establish Project Graduation. Since moving to Beaufort, she has returned at times to visit a program far larger than the early years.
In a previous interview, Lock said, "I'm overwhelmed and so appreciative of how Aiken has supported Project Vision. I get teary about it."
Bethanne Farrell and Lodonna Jantzen coordinate the overall program. Farrell got involved when her oldest daughter, Caryn Farrell Butler, was in high school.
Caryn and her sisters, Courtney and Shannon, have graduated, but all three former South Aiken students joined their mother as volunteers.
Caryn, a 2009 graduate, still enjoys the event, remembering her own experiences as a senior. Still, it's startling for her to see a lot of seniors she used to know as little kids.
Sherri Thomas spent about 60 hours at the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center before the event, coordinating all the extensive decorations set up for the students.
UPS is a sponsor and provided a number of employees to help collect the reused decorations and put them up. Aiken Sunrise Rotarians were joined by City of Aiken staffers and Aiken Sertoma Club members to help, as well.
Rotarian Det Haislip has worked with Project Graduation since its start. He and other volunteers helped take the decorations to a storage facility, where they'll stay for another year.
"It's been my pet project with Rotary," Haislip said. "It's a worthwhile thing, helping keep the kids safe."
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