In some ways, First Generation College Bound's annual graduation celebration on June 17 was a calm celebration before the storm of next year's blowout festivities.

But in another way, the celebration was also a party in the middle of another storm.

In the midst of an economic storm, Joe Fisher's organization got party-worthy news when Prince George's County Council member Tom Dernoga and county Deputy Health Administrator Howard Burnett announced that the county would be giving the group a $200,000 grant to the sounds of screams and applause.

"First Generation College Bound and Joe Fisher have done so much for our county and our county's students," Dernoga said. "It was not hard for me to make a case for this money in the budget."

It was one of several reasons for parents, donors and other friends of First Generation College Bound to celebrate. Most important was the chance to celebrate the almost 100 high school students from Prince George's County who would be among the first in their families to attend college thanks to Fisher's organization.

In fact, the master of ceremonies -- Alonzo Washington -- and guest speaker -- Bridget Akintunde -- were both alumni of First Generation College Bound.

Akintunde, who recently received a master's in Healthcare Administration, took some time to share her lessons from college with this year's graduating high school seniors.

One of her most important lessons, she said, she learned from FGCB.

"Life is not about waiting for storms to pass," she said. "It's about learning how to dance in the rain."

Among those who listened particularly closely to Akintunde's words was Lindsey Hastings-Spaine.

Hastings-Spaine, a graduate of Laurel High, will attend New York City's prestigious Columbia University. And, she said, she couldn't have done it without the help of FGCB.

"They made the whole application process easier," she said. "I didn't have anyone to look up to for college advice, but they were there and provided that example."

Hastings-Spaine, who will major in biology and pre-med, said she was particularly baffled by the financial aid process until she spoke with Fisher about it.

"He told me with my grades and my SATs, that I should aim for the top," she said. "He really had faith in me."

After receiving guidance from FGCB on financial aid and how to find private sources of aid, Hastings-Spaine will attend Columbia University on a full ride, with her expenses covered.

Ashley Chase, who was the only FGCB product of St. Vincent Pallotti High School this year, will also be attending college on a full ride.

In fact, she's already taken the next step and left for a "pre-college" program at McDaniel College two days after FGCB's graduation celebration.

Her mother, Cora Chase, said Fisher gave Ashley the confidence she needed to get to college.

"At one point, she was really struggling in science class," Cora Chase said. "But they helped her focus and now ... she'll be majoring in biology in college."

Andrew Salenieks said that, at first, FGCB had simply been a way for him to get the financial aid he needed to attend the University of Maryland. But, by the end of the first year, he had realized the program had taught him more.

"I just knew how to spend money and not get wrapped up in credit cards," he said. "Little things that some kids don't learn until too late."

As big as this year's celebration was, it may pale in comparison to next year's. The 2010 graduation celebration will mark First Generation College Bound's 20th anniversary as well as the largest group of college students yet.

About 140 students who took part in Fisher's homework club, college workshops and other FGCB-related events will celebrate their college graduation.

For Fisher, the celebration will be huge, but it is also a reminder of the work left to be done. Earlier this year, the organization launched its "Thousand Friends" campaign, seeking to get about 1,000 people to donate $100 each. It's ambitious, but Fisher said it's necessary for FGCB to continue its traditions.

But for now, he's just celebrating. "Next year is going to be crazy," he said.

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