King Philip Regional’s Healthy KP coalition successfully hosted its first 5th quarter event for the high school’s students after the Warriors’ football game on Friday, October 15.

The event was held outside at King Philip Regional High School from 9 to 11 p.m. with more than 250 students in attendance. The goal of the event was to provide a safe substance-free space for students to have fun with their friends after the game.

Healthy KP coalition hosted a 5th quarter event for King Philip Regional High School students, which featured many fun activities, including a dunk tank. (Photo Courtesy King Philip Regional High School)

The free event featured pizza, snacks, soft drinks, cotton candy and popcorn machines, as well as a dunk tank, live DJ, a mural to paint, lawn games and raffles. Volunteers from Healthy KP coalition, SAFE coalition and the school community staffed the event. Members of the Massachusetts State Police and the Wrentham Police Department attended.

The event was sponsored through the Drug-Free Communities grant, which Healthy KP was awarded in December 2020. The grant aims to provide Healthy KP with funds to strengthen relationships with local community partners and implement different strategies and programs that are designed to reduce youth substance use rates.

“This was the first time the district held an event like this and I am amazed at its success,” said King Philip Superintendent Paul Zinni. “It would not have been made possible without the hard work of our many volunteers and community partners, as well as the generosity of all who donated. I thank Healthy KP for providing a safe and healthy space for our students to have fun and enjoy themselves.”

KPRHS thanks SAFE Coalition, the Massachusetts State Police, Big Y of Franklin and Walpole, Christine Molla, and members of Healthy KP for donating to the event, as well as DJ Manny Barros for performing. KPRHS also thanks Eagle Brook Saloon for providing discounted pizza.

Additionally, KPRHS thanks Assistant Principal Kip Lewis, DFC Grant Program Coordinator Cassandra Bigness, Healthy KP Chair Ann Barr, Healthy KP Treasurer Wayne Burt, Wellness Director Dot Pearl, Michelle Kelley, Joanne Grant, John Barrett, Kim Lewis, Jody Jeanetti, April Frey, Scott Kramer, and Michael Poirier, SAFE Coalition Executive Director and co-founder Jennifer Knight-Levine, SAFE Coalition members Chavelyn Santana, Emilee Purdy and Brian Hamlin, Rev. Gregory Vozzo of St Jude’s and St. Edward’s Parishes, Facilities Manager Joseph Zahner, KPRHS groundskeeper Greg Wickstrom, Wrentham Police Chief Bill McGrath, School Resource Officer Todd Schwalbe, Sgt. Dan Morris and Community Service Dog Cruiser, the Massachusetts State Police, Custodians Danny Mello, Dave Hunchard, Jon Maranda, Anthony Davis and Eric Gearhart, as well as students Sophie Peck, Neva Keighley, Sophia Collins and Sam Arsenault for volunteering at the event.

About Healthy KP

Healthy KP was founded in 2018 with the goal of empowering students from Wrentham, Norfolk and Plainville to live a healthy, substance-free life through youth leadership, education, training, policy and support.