NORTH PORT — Although the June 1
graduation ceremony for North Port High School’s class of 2013 is months away, a group is already hard at work planning the annual Project Graduation party.

The event gives new graduates a safe, alcohol-and drug-free place to celebrate their accomplishment. Once inside Project Graduation — held each year at the Venice Family YMCA — graduates aren’t allowed to leave. But they’re hardly bored — the night is typically jam-packed with games, food, music, dancing, swimming, contests and lots of prizes.