Westborough, Milford, Worcester Get DA Grants For Safe Graduations

WESTBOROUGH, MA — Three local high schools received grants this spring from Courtesy Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr.'s office to host post-graduation ceremonies, part of an annual DA program aimed at preventing risky behavior during celebrations.

Westborough High School's Project Graduation, St. Paul Diocesan in Worcester and Milford High School each received $1,200 grants in June for post-graduation celebrations. The DA's office gave out 21 grants this year totaling $25,000.

"These events should be times of celebration for our students and their families, but these
celebrations can turn into tragedies. We know that life can and often does change in the blink of
an eye, especially when alcohol or drugs are involved," Early said in a news release. "Our goal is to prevent tragedies before they happen by encouraging students to celebrate in safe, fun environments."

High schools in the county host a variety of different post-graduation events to steer teens away from celebrations involving drugs and alcohol. Westborough's annual Project Graduation event, for example, let graduates stay overnight in the Teamworks sports center in Northborough, with food and beverages provided.

Early's office has been providing post-graduation support for about six year using funds from drug forfeitures.