Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School Students Attend and Participate in Historic Celtics Game, Tour Boston’s North End Through HERO Program

TAUNTON — Superintendent Alexandre Magalhaes is pleased to share that Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School students attended a historic Boston Celtics game Monday through School Resource Officer Jayson LaPlante’s HERO (Helping Students, Education, Respect-Building, Outreach) program.

On Wednesday, Nov. 1, Taunton Police officer/SRO Jayson LaPlante, Assistant Principal Mark Mosher, and B-P Spanish teacher Gabrielle Paquette accompanied 23 Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical High School students to the TD Garden for Celtics Night.

The group got to see the Celtics beat the Indiana Pacers 155-109, the third-most points scored by the Celtics in franchise history.

The students participated in an essay contest and were selected from over 65 applicants to attend the game. This is the eighth year that the Boston Celtics have partnered with the Taunton Police Department to allow students to take part in an NBA experience.

This year the Taunton Police HERO Program was recognized by the Celtics for continually working on the importance of positively engaging with youths in the community. The students were given on-court credentials for the game, participated in a sideline shootaround pass, and accompanied the team on the floor for the National Anthem. Celtics player Jason Tatum spoke to the students and chose two to join the team in its huddle prior to tip-off. 

The students were also given a historic tour of the North End including the North Church and Paul Revere’s statue. Students enjoyed dinner at Pizzeria Regina and stopped at Mike’s Pastry for dessert.

“We are so thankful to Mayor Shauna O’Connell and Chief Edward Walsh for this wonderful collaboration,” said Superintendent Magalhaes. “I would also like to thank SRO LaPlante, who continues to emphasize the importance of working with our students and partnering with them on ways to make a difference in our school community.”

Through the HERO program, Officer LaPlante seeks donations to take Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School students on memorable and engaging field trips. Through the program, more than 100 students have attended Red Sox games and more than 200 students have attended Celtics games in the past seven years. 

The essays that students complete before attending the trips serve as a tool for Officer LaPlante to better get to know and reach more students. As SRO, he tries to identify students he feels would benefit most from the program.

Through the relationships Officer LaPlante has emphasized the importance of giving back and getting involved with the community. Students in the program actively contribute to the community and local agencies by organizing food drives and participating in community clean-ups and holiday gift donations.

“This is was a special game for students to attend and we hope they enjoyed being part of the team for a night,” said SRO LaPlante. “We look forward to continuing to offer these types of experiences through the HERO program.”

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