Graduation Night Information

Graduation date for the Class of 2025 is June 6, 2025.

KHS Project Graduation is excited to be hosting a graduation celebration for the class of 2025! Seniors, congratulations on your upcoming graduation! Families, we have lots of information to share so please read this entire page.

Project Graduation is not a school sponsored activity, and since we are not school sponsored, we do not have access to your graduate’s file and/or medical file at the school. We will have a Keene Police Officer on-site for the duration of the event. If there is an emergency with your graduate, KPD will handle any issues that arise. If there is a medical emergency, we will call 911 and have emergency personnel handle any issues that arise.

We require an emergency contact with their phone number in order for your graduate to attend Project Graduation. This form is attached and will be handed out to the future graduates at their senior class meeting. Copies are available on our website, in each house office, and Ms. Simpson’s room (606). These can be returned to Ms. Simpson or brought to check in the night of Project Graduation; please note completion of this form is required to attend. If there is an emergency with your graduate and we cannot reach you, you will be contacted via the Keene Police or Keene Fire Department.

Project Graduation will be on Friday, June 6th. Doors open at 10:00pm and will close at 11:00pm. You must receive a diploma from Keene High School to be eligible to attend.
Once a graduate enters Project Graduation, they are “locked in” for the night. Graduates cannot leave on their own prior to our dismissal time of around 6:00 am Saturday morning. If a graduate cannot stay for the full night, the ONLY way they will be dismissed is to have a parent/guardian come in and sign the graduate out. These arrangements MUST be made in advance with Board Chair Kathleen Joyal via email kjoyal72@gmail.com or phone (603) 762-1751. Graduates who are 18 years or older must have a parent/guardian signature to leave the event early.

Entrance for Project Graduation is the West Lobby, with parking available next to the football practice field. We recommend graduates have a ride to and from Project Graduation as they will likely be tired on Saturday morning. Driving tired is as dangerous as driving under the influence, so please make arrangements to get your graduate home safely.

In years past, the KHSPG Board has heard from families that the rush of the graduation ceremony, photos, and dinner at a restaurant is stressful to accomplish all before the start of Project Graduation. We receive donated meals from many local businesses and will have food in the cafeteria for students to enjoy, so your child will not go hungry! To decrease the amount of activities on families’ plates, we suggest going out to dinner during graduation weekend so families can enjoy the night with their graduates and without feeling rushed. If your graduate has any dietary restrictions, please let us know via email so we can ensure food is available and accessible to your graduate

If your graduate works, we suggest asking employers for Saturday (the day following graduation) off so they will be able to participate in Project Graduation.

Each graduate will be assigned a number upon check in. Any bags students bring will be searched by volunteers and stored at bag check all night; however, bags can be accessed throughout the night as needed. The bag check area will be manned by adult volunteers at all times, so graduates’ belongings will be safely stored all night. Graduates will be issued a drawstring bag to carry items during the event.

If students would like to ride certain inflatables, a signed waiver is required. Waivers are attached below, and available in Ms. Simpson’s room (606). These waivers can be returned to Ms. Simpson prior to Project Graduation; however, a waiver MUST be turned in prior to students being able to use the inflatables.

In years past, many graduates worried about having difficulties staying up all night. In our experience, the time goes by very quickly once graduates enter the building. Many graduates don’t even realize how much time has passed until it is time to go home! There will be a quiet area if a graduate needs someplace to relax for a while.

At the end of the night, all graduates will go to the auditorium for a Hypnotist Show. Families, please talk with your graduate to see if they’d be interested in participating/allowed to participate. Our Board does not select student participants. The hypnotist chooses at the event, so we will assume anyone that volunteers has permission from their parent/guardians to participate.

Please leave the following items at home:

Any item that is not allowed at school will not be allowed at Project Graduation, including pocket knives or any other weaponry.
Food and drinks (including energy drinks): We will provide bottled water and ample food at the event.
Medication: If a student needs to take/use medication during the night, please inform volunteers at check in. It will be accessible to students during the event. OTC medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen should be kept at home.

Please consider bringing these recommended items:

A change of clothes / sweatshirt
Appropriate footwear for tournaments (sneakers/athletic footwear)
Deodorant
Yearbook – get those last minute signatures!

We are always looking for volunteers to set up Project Graduation in the week leading up to graduation and (of course!) the night of the event. Please visit our Facebook page (Keene High School Project Graduation) to learn more about volunteering with us.