With graduation looming for Whidbey Island seniors, a group of parents is raising money to ensure all Coupeville High School graduates have a safe celebration.

The parents, loosely affiliated with the Central Whidbey Youth Coalition, are fund-raising to provide “scholarships,” or perhaps partyships, to needy students wishing to join in the celebration.

Coupeville High School students graduate June 9. Shortly after the celebration, the graduates will board buses for a nightclub-style venue on Lake Union in Seattle and then to another place in Lynnwood for fun and games.

Melanie Krouse, a volunteer organizing the event, said it costs $400 per student to participate in the party. To date, the parent group has raised approximately $2,000 through selling ornaments, commemorative mugs and charms. Volunteers also held a chili feed and they sell items at farmers markets.

Parents want to help as many students as possible pay for the party.

“We just want to make sure everybody can come,” Krouse said.

Having a graduation night celebration provides a safe place for students to celebrate and avoid car accidents that could mar their accomplishment. The students are bused back to Whidbey Island early in the morning.

Krouse said the fund-raising deadline is approximately one month before the celebration.

Donations may be made to Linda Nadeau/CHS Class of 2007, PO Box 415, Oak Harbor, WA, 98277.

For more information call Krouse at 675-8335.