Volume 72 No. 7
Grimsley High School
801 Westover Terrace
Greensboro, NC27408
May 6, 1996
Grimsley competed in the Knowledge
Master's Open on April 17. Witli a total score
of 1623 out of 2000, Grimsley placed 2nd in
tire state, 43 in the United States, and 43 m the
world. Tire students competing were Mark
Boclikis, Jonadian Nikfaijam, Irina Bocldds,
Leon Boclikis, SunJun Park, Sarali Pendergraft,
Keith Taylor, James Williams, Anna DeCa^er,
James Klianlarian, Maia Kaplan, Patrick
Kinlaw, Jinmiy NeMsen, and MamadouNiang.
Tlie team is coached by Mr. Whisenant and
Mr. Williamson.
Grimsley's Sax Ensemble received a "Supe
rior" rating at tlie East Davidson competiton
on Tuesday. April 23. The ensemble mem
bers are Cesar Alvarez, Greg Barbee, Jessica
Brown, Andy Roberts, Rachel Rosenthal, Matt
Schwarz. Justin Smitli, and Mike Votta.
Tlie Orchestra, directed by Ms. Diaime
Barbee, competed in the Western Region Or
chestra Festival at Wake Forest on April 17.
Tlie 30 students, led by Concertmaster Mike
Ferry', received tlie highest possible rating, "Su
perior," from all tliree judges. Tire concert was
sponsored by die North Carolina Music Edu
cators Association.
7iie Gold Madrigals have been announced
forthe 1996-1997 school year. The new mem
bers are Amanda Ball, Christina Chenault,
Avery' Lutz, Amanda Sumrall, Jil Miuray, Sa
rah Carpenter. Eric Cannon, Cliris Grayson.
Sean Murphy, Tim Stanley, Tom Earp, Chad
McMurray. and James Woods.
On tlie recent National Latm E.xam, tlie Tu'st
Grimsley has participated in hi over 5 years,
seniors Patrick Kinlaw, Torben Koliler, Amie
Beatty, Jemiifer Oxenfeld, David Hyman.
Cadierine Owens, and Rebecca Rohiick, re
ceived Cum Laude or higher on the Latin 5
exam. Freshman Sam Cone had a perfect
score on tlie Latin 2 exam, one of only 815 m
tlie nation.
Senior celebration fun. safe
By Brian Schiller
StaffWriter
As the 1995-96 school year moves into its
final months students are eagerly eyeing the
buret of activity tliat accompanies tlie end of
school. One of tliese ei'ents is Projert Gradu
ation, an all-night party on tlie niglit of gradu
ation for the whole senior class.
As Project Graduation
shapes up for its sixth
conseaitive year, it is now
established as a tradition
here at Grimsley, and as
sonietliing that under
classmen cai look for
ward to. The idea for
Grimsley's Project
Graduation originated hi
1990 witli tlie arrival of
Mrs. Judy Jay. who had
been involved hi a sinii-
kirgraduationparty' inan-
otlier state. When she
came to Greensboro Mrs.
Jay saw the need for
sonietliing like she had
worked on before she
moved so die volunteered
Anotlierhnportant aspect of Project Gradua
tion was tliat it was intended to give seniors a
place to go where tliey wouldn't feel tlie need to
drink and would be safe for tlie mglit.
Tlie issue of alcohol was tlie reason tliat a
town hi New England organized tlie first party
like Project Graduation and encouraged other
towns to do tlie same. Many students here at
Grimsley know people tliat liai'e been hurt or
I ,,i
■
-'■iL
Students look on as doorprizes are rallied oil'at tlie 1993 I^oject Graduation
celebration. Dooiprizes are one of the most popular events.
to woik on tlie projectwliich was to be imder-
taken witli tlie approval of tlie PT A. A small
group of parents tlien began to get Project
Graduation on its feet by writing letters askhig
fertile support of local bushiesses. clubs, and
government organizations. To expand on tlie
orighial seed money given by tlie PT A a grant
of $2000 was secured fiom tlie N.C. Depart
ment of Hi^way Safety.
Tlie group found businesses willhig to spon
sor tlie ei'ent because it was a new and popular
idea in Greensboro. BeforetliestartofPrqject
Graduation sei'eral of tlie liigli schools hi tlie
city liad graduation parties including Grimsley.
Because tliese parties weren’t opai to tlie en
tire senior class, many people were excluded
or forced to decide between different groups
of Iriends,
"Tlie most hiiportant aspect is tliat it (Project
Graduation) is open to ev'eiy' graduating se
nior,” said Mrs Cliarlene Bariiam who was one
of tlie ei'ent’s originators.
killed in accidents involving dnuik drivers, and
tliese studaits also acknowledgeUiat Prom and
Graduation were two niglits on wliich teenagers
traditionally go out and get dnmk.
Tlie organizers hoped to avoid tragedies tliat
liad struck otlier cities as whole groups of se
niors were killed on Uie most important day of
tlieir teenage years.
In years past 90% of Grimsley graduates liave
come to tlie Central YMCA for tlie niglit.
Seniors will arrive at tlie Central Y between
11 :(X)P,M. aid midniglit on Monday Jiuie 3,
aid tlie part)' lasts mitil 5 :(K) A.M. Altliougli
seniors ae allowed to leave before 5 o clock,
few do as tliey forfeit all doorprizes aid ac
not allowed to return.
Tlie slat of Uie party is delayed luitil
11P.M. so dial graduates cai cliange clotlies
aid see tlieirfaiiilies.
Upon entering tlie Y, students have a huge
array of activities to chose Irom hi rooms tliat
liave been decorated beyond recognition by
paent voliuiteere. Activities at tlie p;irty include
bingo, music, karaoke, daicing, forliuic-tellhig,
maiiaires, basketball, lolleyball. casino gaiies,
contests, aid more. Prizes vay'iiig from casli to
nierchaidise from local stores ac gii'eii away
in great quaitity for tlie whole diration of tlie
ev'cnhig.
Mrs. Kidd, who has been a part of project
graduation since its inception, said, "Graduates
arrii e in a festive mood, ready to
rclav liave fun. aid celebrate witli
tlie rest of hieir class. Tlie casino
room aid door prize a cas attract
tlie biggest crowds."
Tlie drawback of so iiiaiy ac
tivities aid tlie lavisli decorations
for tlie ei'cnt is tliat tliey come at a
cost. Tlie $5 seniorepay fora ticket
to die event covers a small fraction
oftliccostpcrstudcnt. Orgaiizcre
spaid coiuitlcss houre contacting
local businesses for donations of
aisli aid prizes.
"Fiuiding for tlie p;irl)' is a yciirly
problem. Tlie ticket price covers
only a small fraction of tlie cost
k,dd phoin making piaciit donations I'ital to
tlie continuing success of Project
Graduation." said Mrs. SchUlcr.
Tlie orgaiizers of Uie 1996 Pro ject Gradua
tion Ivave extremely higli hopes for Uic event
tliey liave been working on since last v'air, aid
Uie class of 1996 is dqiending on Uiosc p;u-cnts
to make Project Graduation a fitting Cud to Uieir
higli school careere. If Uie seniors make it a
point to turn out in record nimibcre Uieparty will
be a huge success for everyone.
"I am excited," said WillClaik. a senior. "I an
lookhig forwad to a safe aid fim niglit wiUi my
friends."
Project
Graduation
iVhen: June 3, t996
11pm - Sam
Where: Central
Y.M.C.A.
How Much: $S
Tickets go on sale May 20, and it is
recommended that they are purchased
in advanance to avoid lines at the door.