Out of a total of 111 students in the Coventry High School graduating class, 90 attended Project Graduation at the Mansfield Community Center on June 19. An 80-percent attendance rate is a testimony to the hard work and thought devoted to the event by numerous parents and other volunteers. Twelve hours after their 10 a.m. graduation, the graduates waited in line outside the center. Inside were free food, beverages, and a huge number of activities to keep them occupied until 4 a.m. Planned activites included: air brush tattoos; indoor swimming with an inflatable water slide; poker; foosball; pool; air hockey; ping-pong; caricatures; pedestal joust; and basketball, to name a few. Volleyball, basketball, and “Guitar Hero” tournaments were scheduled throughout the night.<?p>

The theme was Hollywood, and each graduate was represented by a star on the “Hollywood Walk of Fame.” Raffle prizes included movie tickets and memorabilia. Movie posters were cleverly displayed throughout the facility. Example: a “Jaws” poster in front of the pool.

At the earlier graduation ceremony, speeches were given by valedictorian Anna Maria Vromans and salutatorian Robert Joyce. Class President Megan MacBryde delivered the farewell address, encouraging her classmates to follow through with their dreams. “Desire is the only thing that will accomplish your goal,” said MacBryde.