Just two????

Very sad for the hockey team. Let's hope they can still pull off a win.

Yeah just two Gene! That's not enough for you? Jerk!!!

Terry, I have followed the Swampscott Patch for a few years now and I believe you do a great job as editor. However, I disagree with your decision to publicize this particular incident involving these two Swampscott High School individuals. The boys made a mistake; that is not news. Dr. Celli as well, if you are reading this please note that it is both embarrassing and unprofessional to publically comment on the incident. Everybody makes mistakes when they are young and I do not feel it is your job to publicize those mistakes. You have both acted unprofessionally at these boys expense and frankly that it very disappointing. I hope you handle similar situations differently in the future.

There's a policy in place for a reason - it's up to Celli, Millington, Kowalski, the school department and the police department to enforce - otherwise it isn't worth the paper its printed on!

Anonymous,
I must respectfully disagree with your position on publicizing this incident. It is theft talk of the Town and was long before it made the Patch. The High School had a big public rally for the team and deservedly so. The student body of the entire Town is excited and the Town has been encouraging its families to attend the big game.
No one has publicized any names but most people will know who the 2 players are when they aren't suited up for the game tomorrow. It most certainly is news in a small town like ours.

Yes, these kids made a mistake but it is not a mistake that can be condoned or glossed over. Drinking as minors at a school event two nights before the biggest game of their lives is a pitiful decision and one that displays supreme selfishness to their teammates and their school. Missing the game will be the least of their problems going forward and I suspect this incident will have long lasting implications for Swampscott athletics.

As for the Superintendents comments, I am certainly not a fan of hers but she was right on the mark here.

Biggest news in town is the hockey team and its historic run towards state championship. I think the publicity is warranted. I only hope all student athletes learn from the utter stupidity of these two players and just how much they hurt their team and the hockey passion in this town. I am shocked the hockey team was out at all. I believe Marblehead locked down the team the weekend of their state championship game. Two nights before game are essential for rest. What were all hockey parents and coaches thinking letting these players out?

I love the article on the right stating that the new alcohol policy is a great success!

Whatever happened to due process. While it is a very serious violation if proven to be true, the accused should have the right to some form of hearing.
The administration should consider the long lasting effects that this decision will have on the students and school. There should be more thought put into the punishment than automatic penalty's. There should be an investigation, hearing and verdict. I don't think that this should be done so hastily.

R,
You are pretty on point until the last sentence. Why do you find it necessary to slam athletics. There are plenty of kids on all of our teams who excel in the classroom and on their field/court.
Being a sports hater is pretty petty.
CS

My PERSONAL opinion is that the Drug and Alcohol Policy HAS made a difference. The policy does not claim to be a cure all. Also, thank you to Terry Date for responsibly reporting a story that affects many people in our community. Of course we cannot sweep something this important under the rug. However, let's move on! Tomorrow is the big day. Can we all agree not to utter a word of this at the game and, instead, route for a group of guys who have played their hearts out?! They deserve our UNDIVIDED support.

Tiny Elvis and bigblue 1965 you both said it perfectly.kudos!
Pat Gorham you are right. There are more than 2 players on the hockey team they. Need our support. We are the adults so we should act like adults , parents and a community. I think it is sad news. I am glad that the senior didn't get behind the wheel of his car. We may have been reading an obituary.

It is an unfortunate situation. The reality is that there were many kids drinking and It happens at all schools events. Clearly this was poor judgment by the two boys and a disappointment to all. These two happen to be caught.

Finally, lets cheer the boys on and support them to victory! Go BLUE!

Could have hsppenned to hundreds of kids. Tough break unfortunately, but at least nobody got hurt or worse. Parents give your kids s hug. They have been through a real life lesshon that they won't forget...

Oscar15 do u think its okay for many kids to be drinking. At all school events? So then you must be okay with the kids then driving their friends home drunk.this should b a wake up call for all parents don't u. Think? I. Will always support any kid who does the right thing . I think the 2 boys should be suspended for the 10 days because they brought alcohol into the school.I call that more than poor judgment.

For anyone who thinks that this article should not be published you need a wake up call. The two kids messed up... On the biggest stage of there lives. How can the patch put this much coverage in the game without mention that two players were caught drinking. Doesn't make any sense... And also if you think the whole town didn't know by the next morning you also need a wake up call... Small town news travels quick.

No Pam I don't think it's okay. But I just want people to wake up to the fact that so many kids drink before these events. Yes we need to take action when caught but these two weren't the only. This is more than an issue in Swampscott. Lets give our kids a hug and support them and be thankful that nothing more happened.

If more parents took the time to educate their kids there would be no need to publish the article. With that said, it is important that these type of article do get published. It's shocking yet, but that's what kids need today. Historic run, overshadowed by stupid mistakes that should/could have been prevented. Bigger question....where did the kids get the booze in the first place? Just a sad day all around.

I made an alcohol related mistake while I was in high school. It haunts me to this day, and I would like to say shame on anybody involved in suspending these children for something so minuscule an offense. Teenagers drinking alcohol? How awful...im sure they will learn their lesson for sure. I doubt they will ever drink again because you sure showed them. You may insert the sarcasm at any point.

Alcohol is illegal for people under 21. Teaching young adults consequences is a great life lesson. Yes, kids will make mistakes that is the way they learn. But throwing the rules out because teenagers can't possibly hold themselves to a standard would be a bigger mistake. High standards teach sacrafice, intergrity, hard work, focus and committment that will carry them through life. HS sports has a VERY low percentage of professional athletes. The purpose then has to me to teach life skills that will serve them through life.... Go Big Blue!!!

I am not from that area of the state but just found this article today. It is a very sad lesson for those individuals and even sadder for their teammates. I do intend to show this article to my middle school aged son- also a hockey player- with the hope it will leave a lasting impression!!

Honestly, I don't see why alcohol plays such a big role in America. The kids here knew the consequences of their actions and chose to run the risk anyways so I agree with them being punished, but going forward, I think America has the wrong idea when it comes to underage drinking. It seems to me that the natural consequences of drinking (provided it's not binge drinking or drinking and driving) are much less serious than the imposed consequences.

I'm originally from France and I frequently drank alcohol as a teen. However, neither I nor anyone I know ever developed an alcohol problem. What's more, binge drinking where I'm from is almost unheard of. I think a large part of that stems from the attitude towards alcohol and minors. Teen drinking isn't really seen as a big deal, so kids don't hide it from their parents, and as a result, parents can help them be safer. And kids don't get so obsessive about alcohol either.

Oh and regarding the public shaming idea--Scarlet Letter, anyone? :)

Jacob so let me ask you a question .you say they shouldn't be punished .do you really think just talking about it will stop their drinking behaviors? For your information,this is not the 1st incident for one of the students
I suggest you go online and read about teen substance use. I will help u out teens think they are invincible. And addiction will never happen to them especially if they live in an affluent community ( like ours). There needs to be serious consequences to learn life's lessons. Will you agree to that?Underage drinking is not miniscule.brining a bottle of alcohol into the scool is against the law even for adults . NOT ALL TEENS DRINK those that do drink and get caughr should have serious consequences

I'm not surprised at all.... I would never send my child to Swampscott schools & some of the parents are just as bad as the kids. Funny how they talk so much about Lynn, "glass houses" to the town of Swampscott and the people in denial.

OK Guys, Its Over ... The two Kids made a Poor decision. But by the Grace of God, Go I.
The Game is Over
Please lets move on to other things ( Wheres Dave A when U need him ).
We all should stop blogging about these two kids and finally leave them &their family alone. They will deal with it, Not us.

Sad to see but the School did the right thing.

I am wondering why anyone would be surprised to find out there are consequences to violating a school policy regarding sports and drinking. I'm a bit older than some, yet I recall kids getting caught drinking in school or at school functions meant you were in a world of trouble when I was young. There may be a policy in place that I disagree with, but the fact that there are going to be significant consequences when you are at a school function under the influence is no surprise. Sometimes, it was the coaches that meted out the punishments for athlete's not staying in shape or not respecting the team/other players. Yet, there was always suspensions and missed games penalties.

Steve,
Anybody who doesn't think they deserve to be punished really should be checked out medically. However lynching these two kids at sunrise the way most of the people in town want is troubling. The punishment the MIAA handed down along with the punishment their conscience will give them the rest of their lives is more than enough. There is zero need to for the village to pile on the way they have. They are kids entitled to make mistakes. Now if they make the same mistake again then there is a bigger problem.

Also, I'm glad the Patch chose not to include the kids names in the article unlike some other outlets have. We all know who they are. It's a great teaching lesson for the town and its children. They have accepted their punishment like young men. They are good kids from good families. Count me as a person who has accepted their apology .