Monica Delahoussaye of Loreauville is now in the running for a 2009 Toyota Corolla after her name was drawn Friday in a raffle fundraising event for Iberia Project Graduation.

Delahoussaye’s name was drawn out of about 30,000 raffle tickets. She is the first of 10 finalists who will draw for the car at Musson-Patout in April. Delahoussaye also nabbed $250 for being the first qualifying finalist.

Iberia Project Graduation was started in 1999 for local high schools’ graduations each year, said April Dugas, Iberia Project Graduation board member.

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“We raise money the whole year so the graduates can have an alcohol and drug-free night for graduation,” Dugas said. “This is one of our many fundraisers to try and keep them safe.”

Catholic High School, New Iberia Senior High, Westgate High School and Loreauville High School are the participating schools. Dugas said 60,000 tickets were sold last year.  

The yearly project graduation parties include fun jumps, music, food, games, money machines and many door prizes for the graduates, Dugas said, adding the board “pretty much empties out the bank accounts every year” for the parties.

Tickets are available for $5 at various local businesses, including Wal-Mart and Super 1 Foods.

The next drawing will be held April 3 at Musson-Patout, where the nine other finalists will be chosen. At the final drawing on April 25 at Musson-Patout, the finalists will pick 10 keys and see which one starts the new car.

“We haven’t had a fatality on graduation night since the program started,” said Amy Bergeron, board member. “This gives them a safe place to celebrate.”