LUMBERTON — Almost 1,600 high school seniors in Robeson County today will be handed a diploma as a reward for a 12-year journey, and then most of them will head off for a celebration designed to keep the day a safe and happy one.
According to Tasha Oxendine, a spokesperson with the county schools, 1,598 seniors will graduate at six ceremonies today at celebrations held across the county, to include Lumberton and Purnell Swett high schools, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Robeson Community College. Early College graduates have already received their diplomas.
Oxendine said that 1,016 of those seniors have registered for the 30th annual Project Graduation, an alcohol- and drug-free celebration that is hosted by the Public Schools of Robeson County. It will begin at 8 p.m. at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke and extend into the early morning Saturday.
Project Graduation was established three decades ago after the death of a senior who was killed in a car accident while heading to the beach after graduation. School officials say the celebration is intended to keep students close at home overnight, with the expectation they will go home, get some rest and then be fresh for any out-of-town venture.
There has not been a death of a high school senior on graduation day since the event began.
Students will be fed and enjoy a variety of game-related activities, such as a mechanical bull, dancing and bowling. The main event is hypnotist Brian Embus, who will take the stage about 11 p.m.
Students will also have a chance to win prizes, including a smart TV and other electronics.
The event is sponsored by a variety of local businesses and organizations, the Robeson County Board of Commissioners, and Locklear, Jacobs, Hunt and Brooks Attorneys at Law. Each school makes a donation. Local law enforcement officers donate their time.
Graduation ceremonies for six of Robeson County’s public high schools have been scheduled for today as follows:
— St. Pauls High School, 9 a.m. at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s Givens Performing Arts Center.
— Red Springs High School, 10 a.m. at Robeson Community College’s A.D. Lewis Auditorium.
— Lumberton High School, 10 a.m. in the school’s gymnasium.
— Fairmont High School, 12:30 p.m. in UNCP’s Givens Performing Arts Center.
— South Robeson High School, 2 p.m. in RCC’s A.D. Lewis Auditorium.
— Purnell Swett High School, 4 p.m. at UNCP’s Givens Performing Arts Center.
Robeson Early College’s graduation ceremony was held May 22.
The names of all the graduates will be published in The Robesonian on Sunday.
