Westfield High School Seniors Have a BASH and Party All Night

The Westfield High School graduating class stayed up all night and celebrated at their 2012 Project Graduation BASH on Thursday, June 21. 

In addition to food and refreshments all night, 349 graduates enjoyed music, dancing, entertainment, magic shows, massages, swimming and a variety of other activities at a large indoor sports facility.  This was the 23rd anniversary of the Optimist Club Project Graduation BASH, a tradition for graduating seniors.  Over the past 23 years, more than 7,000 Westfield High School graduates have had fun and safe celebrations at the annual Project Graduation. 

The purpose of Project Graduation BASH, the Optimist Club signature project, is to provide a fun, safe, drug, and alcohol-free atmosphere for the senior class to celebrate their high school graduation. The Optimist Club organizes, sponsors, and finances the substance-free event. Parents, sponsors and local business enable this event to continue in our community every year through their generous contributions.  These individuals and businesses are recognized in a special program book distributed at the Westfield High School graduation ceremony.

Darielle Walsh, Optimist Club President and Chairperson of Project Graduation BASH, commented, “BASH has provided a safe haven for Westfield students on graduation night. We are reminded of the significance of this night by young adults returning to the community after graduating with stories about ‘their BASH’.  Many Optimist Club members, teachers, and friends volunteer their time by serving as chaperones or in other supporting roles to ensure the tradition of BASH continues.  Approximately 20 adult volunteer chaperones spend the night at BASH in addition to serving in other volunteer roles. 

The Optimist Club is a not-for-profit service club composed of men and women who live and/or work in the Westfield area. The Optimist Club of Westfield, chartered as a chapter of Optimist International in 1989, is an organization whose mission is being "a friend of youth."

The 60 members of the Westfield Chapter have served the youth and families of our community for over 23 years through service projects, community activities, support for needy families, and academic programs and competitions. 

For more information about the Optimist Club, visit http://westfieldnj.com/optimist/.