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Letter: Graduation celebration

After graduating from Basalt High School on May 30, the class of 2015 enjoyed a night filled with entertaining games, activities, prizes and food until the wee hours of the morning thanks to Project Graduation, a Basalt High School tradition for the past 16 years. We are so grateful to the nonprofit organizations and local businesses for their financial support of the successful event.

In particular, donating $500 or more to Project Graduation were Pitkin County, the Thrift Shop of Aspen, the town of Basalt, Eagle County, Aspen Elks Lodge No. 224, the Rittvo Family Foundation and Walmart. Donors that gave $250 or more include Alpine Bank, Bank of Colorado, Basalt and Rural Fire District volunteers, Colorado 500, Snowmass Hospitality, Timberline Bank, Tan Bar and Valley Heating.

In-kind donors that generously contributed food, swag-bag items, a moving van and storage units were El Korita, Casa de Valle, Timbo’s Pizza, Whole Foods, City Market, Chris and Julie Maniscalchi, Isabele and Carlos Enriquez, Basalt Clinic Pharmacy, Valley Lumber, Basalt Mini Storage, Alpine Bank, Carbondale Family Dental, Bed Bath and Beyond, Aspen Orthopedics, Aspen Valley Hospital, Roaring Fork Club and Valley View Hospital.



There were dozens of local businesses that donated gift cards, products and services for prizes for the graduates; special thanks to Colorado Mountain College for awarding class credits to one lucky winner.

We could not have pulled off the evening without longtime volunteer Deb Morrison, Basalt High School teacher Ralph Smalley and at least two dozen parents who gave their time setting up, cleaning up and running games.




Thank you to all the local businesses that placed donations jars on their counter tops, including Jimbo’s Liquors in Basalt, whose jar collected the most donations. Your support made it a record year for collecting change!

On behalf of the 2015 Basalt High School Project Graduation Committee, we thank you for your generosity. Because of you, the Basalt High School Class of 2015 went home loaded with prizes and amazing memories shared among friends and classmates. But most importantly, they got home safely.

Dawn Ogren

Chairwoman, Basalt High School Project Graduation