West New York police officers faced off against Memorial High School teachers on Oct. 9 in the second annual Benefit Softball Game, to raise money for Project Graduation.
Project Graduation is an alcohol-free celebration for graduating seniors held right after the graduation ceremony at the end of the year.
“The whole idea [of the game] is to benefit Project Graduation for the senior class,” said Memorial High School Assistant Principal Nelson Lopez. “We do a non-alcoholic event for the seniors after they graduate because sometimes, they are met with tragedy after graduation.”
After this year’s softball game, as well as other fund-raising events, approximately $15,000 has been collected so far to go toward the total Project Graduation budget of $25,000.
“Every year it gets a little bit harder, so we have to come up with good ideas to raise funds,” said Lopez. “Every little bit counts.”
He also said that funds also come from local businesses making donations, and that the school also organizes a benefit basketball game. The police often get involved with that game, too.
“We try to get involved with the school as much as we can to benefit the kids in the town,” said West New York Police Officer Billy Kelley. He said that the kids should be able to focus on preparing for graduation and getting ready for college, not paying for Project Graduation.
Last year, seniors went to Project Graduation for free and, if enough funds are raised, the same can happen this year.
“It was a great way to just get the community involved, get the police officers and teachers to communicate,” said Lopez.
Home run Many students at the game cheered on their teachers.
“I was not expecting so many teachers to come,” said Senior Class President Mario Tano. “It feels good to know that they support us. It really shows they care.”
“I was shocked as well because they found time in their busy schedule to come and support our class,” said Senior Stephanie Beristain. She also said that she thought it was nice that some teachers brought their families with them.
“They don’t come alone,” she said. “They come with their kids.”
Students said that they were also grateful for the police coming out to support their class.
“They have done it year after year, so we are really glad that they’re cooperating with us as well,” said Tano.
Lopez said the game is a good way for students to see that their teachers and local police officers are everyday people in the community who care about their futures.
“We are also very strict and always educating,” he said, “and now [the students] see us in a different light. They see us as humans.”
Kelley said, “We are tying to make our town a more close-knit community by doing this stuff.”
The score Last year, the police won the game; however, this year, the teachers were victorious. The final score was 19 to 5.
“They hit the ball; they caught the ball,” said Kelley. “We didn’t hit the ball; we didn’t catch the ball. Everything you learned in Little League, we didn’t do.”
However, the students said that both teams played well.
“We are very proud of their softball skills,” said Tano. “I can’t do any of that.”
“I just can’t wait for graduation, for that last moment for everyone to be together, to see everyone graduate, get the diploma,” said Senior Sally Vizueta. “I hope we all keep in touch.”
Graduation day for the Class of 2009 is not yet scheduled; however, the last day of classes is tentatively scheduled for June 12, 2009, depending on snow days, according to Lopez.