Operation Graduation donations sought

BY CHRISTINA TONG

KONK LIFE STUDENT WRITER

Imagine a chance to spend one last moment with the people you’ve bonded with during high school, one of the most challenging periods in life. For the 2018 graduates of Key West High School (KWHS), this last hurrah is called “Operation Graduation.”  “We [the staff at KWHS] want the seniors to enjoy that one last time all together,” describes Monica Fletchall, coordinator of Operation Graduation.

Operation Graduation is an annual, all-night event that celebrates the new graduates of KWHS. It has been going on since the late 80s. “It started because kids wanted to spend one night together, and other things were happening to kids, so they didn’t want anyone driving that night after graduation. They wanted to have an all-night party, all the way until 6 a.m. after graduation, and they wanted to give away prizes,” informs Fletchall.

These prizes include “dorm room essentials” such as televisions, computers, microwaves, and many other items. The event kicks off with transporting the newly-grads to the Double Tree Hotel where they will eat food, play games, and dance.

“From there, the kids get to choose,” Fletchall explains. “They can go bowling out on the [Boca Chica] base, or they can come back to the high school and play dodgeball in the gym, or watch a movie in the auditorium.”

Afterwards, the graduates will gather in the cafeteria and eat breakfast. During this time, the prizes will be distributed. Past prizes have even included a car for a lucky teen.

“If they can stay up the whole night,” Fletchall says, chuckling, “then they end up with some good prizes, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Operation Graduation is dependent on donations from the Key West community. Businesses can donate prize items from their business or gift certificates. Fletchall adds, “Or anyone can write a check to Operation Graduation and drop it off here at the high school in the front office, or they can mail it to 2100 Flagler Ave.”

 

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]