Thanks to a grant from the Elks National Foundation, Middlesboro Lodge No. 119 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks again this year donated $250 each to the annual Project Graduation events to be held at both Middlesboro High School and Bell County High School.

Project Graduation events provide an adult supervised safe, alcohol and drug free post graduation party for seniors on graduation night.

This year Bell County’s graduation was held June 2 with the Project Graduation party beginning at 10 p.m.and lasting until about 5 a.m.

Middlesboro’s graduation was held on May 19 with the party beginning at 11 p.m. and ending about 7 a.m.

Reportedly Bell County High School will graduate over 170 students this year and Middlesboro High School over 90 with both schools always having a large percentage of graduates attending the all night events.