Dear Seniors and Parents/Guardians,
Hello and welcome to your senior year! This is my first year as the Student Assistant Professional Counselor (SAP) here at L&G after teaching for six years in Vermont and Massachusetts, and I am looking forward to working with the seniors and their families this year. I’m sure graduation still feels a bit far off, but this year will fly by, and it is time to start planning for Project Graduation. Our first event is less than two weeks away!

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Project Graduation, I will do my best to describe how it works. Project Graduation is a substance-free graduation party for graduates and their friends. As you may know, the abuse of alcohol and other drug use is a major health and safety issue in the state of Vermont, especially in Southern Vermont where the incidence of substance abuse is higher. An alarmingly high number of students in Southern Vermont have reported driving or riding with somehow who was under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. The intent of Project Graduation is to prevent the occurrence of “out of control” drinking parties around graduation time by offering an alternative. Project Graduation invites students, parents/guardians and community members to plan a party that is both fun and safe. We are committed to presenting a model of celebration that is fun, memorable and free of substance use. I still remember how much fun I had at my own Project Graduation celebration!

Parties in the past have included trips to Boston, Inter-Skate 91, pool parties and dance parties. The cost for these events can be around $10,000. It is a costly venture, but worth every penny. Tragedies attributed to substance use are far more costly. 

This year we are looking for adults who would like to volunteer to help sponsor and participate in fundraising events. We have already been planning our first fundraising event at the Pumpkin Festival in Townshend on the Common on Saturday, Oct 15th. If you are able to help out and bake something for the event, other than pumpkin pies, it would be greatly appreciated. Please contact me to find out how you can help or with any questions at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   or 365-7355.

Thanks for your support in creating a fun and safe graduation!

Sincerely,

Megan Altshuler
Student Assistant Professional Counselor