Hingham High School Skit Shows the Dangers of Teen Drinking

It all seemed so real.  Hingham High School senior Rick Sullivan faced questions from a prosecutor on Thursday morning and was “sentenced to prison  for hosting a teen party.”

The scenario was all  part of a skit put on by the Hingham Police Department, Plymouth County District Court and students.  Sullivan played the role of a 18-year-old high school senior “Matt Welker,” who throws a party at his house, that results in the death of his friend “Chip Atkins.”

Welker and his friends are caught on a video on Facebook playing drinking games and Atkins intakes so much alcohol that he dies.

At the mock trial at Hingham High School on Thursday morning, Welker is sentenced to prison for hosting the disorderly party and providing alcohol to minors.

Hingham High School resource officer Tom Ford, who organized the skit, said the presentation was designed to teach students the dangers of alcohol.

“What we do know is kids are throwing parties,” Ford said.  “We want to address that issue head on and show them that there are consequences.  We always tell them there are but we want to physically show them where they could end up.”

Hingham Police Chief Michael Peraino and Plymouth County District Attorney  Timothy Cruz were each present at the school assembly and each told students to have a safe prom and graduation season with good memories while practicing safe habits.

“We hope to help you make decisions and understand that your actions do indeed have consequences,” Cruz told the high school students.

Sullivan, an 18-year-old senior who participated in Thursday’s performance said he learned a lot from Thursday’s skit and hoped his classmates took something from it.

“It’s a very important thing for everyone know the consequences of doing bad things and how it can harm people” Sullivan said.

Under the “social host” law, a  host is liable when he or she serves alcohol or controls the supply of alcohol.