High School Graduations Approaching; Celebrate Safely

Area high schools are preparing for graduation ceremonies across the Kankakee Valley as soon-to-be-graduates prepare for life after high school. West Central High School students will be the first to graduate while South Central High School students will undergo their graduation ceremonies last, but police will be on high-alert, searching for intoxicated and unrestrained drivers, so adults are strongly encouraged not to provide alcohol for graduation parties and to keep tabs on graduates attending parties to ensure they are being responsible.

West Central High School will be holding their graduation ceremony on May 26 at 2 p.m. ET, followed by Oregon-Davis, Eastern Pulaski, Culver, and LaCrosse high schools, which will all be holding their ceremonies on May 31. LaCrosse and Culver High School graduation will take place at 7 p.m. and Oregon-Davis High School students will graduate at 6:30 p.m.

North Judson and John Glenn High School students will attend their graduation on June 2 at 2 p.m., Knox High School will hold their graduation ceremony on June 7, and South Central will hold theirs on June 9 at 1 p.m.

In 2011, 208 people lost their lives in alcohol-related accidents – 26 of whom were under the age of 21, according to statistics by the Century Council. Do your part in keeping our graduates and others safe by ensuring graduation parties are alcohol-free and, if your child does consume alcohol, consider providing them with a no-questions-asked ride home, rather than let them run the risk of driving under the influence.