Sequim Gazette staff

The flamingos are coming.

 

Funny, perhaps, but it’s no April Fool’s joke.

 

The Sequim High School graduation party’s top fundraiser is pink, plastic and may be coming to a yard near you, as graduating seniors, parents and friends get busy “flocking” Sequim-area neighbors to raise funds for the celebration starting April 1.

 

The grad party is an alcohol- and drug-free event following the June 17 graduation.

 

This year, event organizers are inviting about 240 young men and women to the event not only to honor their achievement but also to keep them safe following commencement ceremonies.

 

Grace Chumley, a parent of a Sequim High senior and party chairman, works part time as a substitute in Sequim schools.

 

“I love these kids, I know a lot of them (and) I enjoy working with them,” she said. “We’ve had a lot of activities at our home and made sure that it’s a safe, drug-free (place). I’ve never seen this (kind of party) in any school I’ve been involved in.”

 

To help raise funds for prizes, graduation party organizers will be busy setting groups of plastic flamingo lawn ornaments — 10 flocks of about seven birds each — throughout the area. Those “flocked” are asked to make a donation to the grad party to have them removed, and for an extra contribution, the flocks can be sent to another lawn or business.

 

Funds raised go to purchase prizes for the graduating seniors. Contributions to the party are tax-deductible.

 

The party is organized and sponsored by parents of graduating seniors, in association with the Sequim Education Foundation.

 

Sequim High School’s graduation ceremony is Friday, June 17. The party follows at 10 p.m. and lasts until 4 a.m.

 

Party festivities include DJ-led music, contests and games, food, raffles, prizes, giveaways and more.
“I’m amazed at how much this community does for their graduates and for their schools,” Chumley said.

For more information, call Chumley at 582-9040 or Tim Richards at 683-3424, or visit http://sequimgradparty.com/.

 

To make a donation to the party, send checks to: Class of 2011 Senior Party, PO Box 220, Carlsborg, WA, 98224.