Project grad raises money for chem free graduation night - By Michelle Libby

Last Sunday, the graduating class of 2016, friends, family and running enthusiasts gathered for the first annual Project Grad 5K. The race was held at Gambo Road fields and on the Mountain Division Trail. Headed up by Meesh and Mike Preston, the event raised $2,000 for a chem free activity after graduation.

The top male finisher was Daniel Bannon from New Gloucester with a time of 18:38 and the top woman finisher was Megan Curtis from Windham with a time of 20:59. 

Project Graduation has been keeping graduated students from partying inappropriately after graduation and then engaging in risky behaviors for more than 20 years. Students choose from a few choice what they would like to do and volunteer parents raise money to make it happen, from all night cruises to whitewater rafting, the goal is to provide the fun at no cost to the students. 

“I want to say thanks to the community for contributing to this fundraiser. I want to make it an annual event for each graduating class, to help them go on the project graduation trip. A Chem-free event is very important to my family,” said Meesh Preston. Meesh volunteered to continue holding the event until 2019 when her son graduates. Her daughter Julia graduates this year.  

The next Project Grad 2016 event is a pickleball tournament at Windham High School on May 21. For more visit, www.facebook.com/events/262559044084050/. To help in other ways, returnables can be brought to Patman's and tell them to put the money on the WHS project grad account or donations can be sent to Windham High School ATTN: Project grad committee.