By JESSICA SIEFF
Edwardsburg Argus

Time has sprung forward and with that comes the countdown to graduation for Edwardsburg High School seniors.

This year 175 students are expected to don caps and gowns in Eddie colors and make their way toward a high school diploma and when the ceremony is over, the tradition of Project Graduation.

The year-long fundraising event steered by parents to give students a night filled with surprises and activities is in its 15th year and this year, parents are going big when it comes to generating donations.

“We’ve put a lot of effort into this event,” Lisa Fitzsimons, parent and organizer, said Monday.

The event she’s talking about is a fundraiser March 27 at the Dowagiac campus of Southwestern Michigan College, at the Fred L. Mathews Conference Center.

The fundraiser will start at 6 p.m. and include dinner, an auction, silent auction, raffle and entertainment.

“It’s new,” Fitzsimons said. “Edwardsburg has never done this before. We have a big class and we need to raise a lot of money.”

Fitzsimons said on average, an estimated 85 percent of graduating seniors take part in Project Graduation, which provides one last night out for graduates.

“As a rite of passage, graduation night is unequaled in the eyes of youth,” Assistant Principal Ryan Markel said in a letter sent out to businesses and organizations in an effort to raise donations. “It is a night to be proud, to celebrate past achievements and to look to the future. Our mission is to make sure these young adults make the correct decision on how to celebrate their accomplishments.”

Fitzsimons said organizers, who have already been out soliciting donations, are hoping to raise as much money as they can for the graduating class through the March 27 fundraiser.
Tickets are $40 including dinner and a raffle ticket and $15 for dinner only.

First prize is $1,000 and second prize is $500 and there will be several other prizes available as well.

For more information, contact Fitzsimons at l.fitzsimons@comcast.net or (269) 506-5240.