Though it is a new event this year at Scituate High School, “the 5th Quarter” has been popular in high schools for years. Originated in Robesonia, Pennsylvania at Conrad Weiser High School, “the 5th quarter” program was created after a tragedy in 2006. The heartbreaking death of a senior just weeks before graduation inspired the high school to take a stand against drunk driving.
Determined to create a safe and friendly school environment, the high school’s own SADD club created the fifth quarter in order to help prevent further recklessness and tragedy in the community. It quickly became a very popular event after the home football games.
Now being brought to SHS, “the fifth quarter” program strives to become a safe, fun alternative after home football games. Students are invited and encouraged to come and enjoy what the program has to offer.After the first football game on Sept 6, students were invited to gather in the small gym and enjoy pizza, music, and games. With events including basketball, foosball, and ping pong, students can come for free after the football game and stay until 11:00 pm. The fifth quarter also featured Real Men Productions, Scituate High’s very own DJ.
The 5th Quarter was tested at SHS after a basketball game last winter, and with nearly 100 students who attended, the program was a success, and it was decided to be continued in the fall. After the game on Sept 6, the students who attended shared their thoughts on the event. Junior and varsity cheerleader Bailey Gorton says, “It was a lot of fun. Everyone got along, and I know a lot of people really enjoyed it.” Fellow cheerleader, junior Sara Murphy agrees. “It was actually more fun than I thought it would be. I think we should do that a lot more.”
The post-game get together will take place every Friday night in the small gym, and students get in completely free. SHS aims to make this event a safe, healthy, and entertaining place for all students, and hopefully, the fifth quarter can become a lasting tradition at Scituate High School, and inspire its students to make smart and safe decisions, as it has at many other schools.