PEABODY —According to Superintendent Josh Vadala, students in Peabody’s Post High School Program, along with students from across the North Shore, built relationships through the first-ever Friday Bowling League.
The Friday Bowling League — established by the North Shore Transition Education Network — kicked off in November, bringing together post-high school special education students ages 18-22 from North Shore communities.
Seventy-seven students from 13 cities and towns participated.
Each month, participants and volunteer coaches from each post-high school program gathered at Leo’s Metro Bowl in Peabody for friendly competition and fun. Students from each program were arbitrarily assigned teams, allowing them to make new friends from other schools.
One student expressed his love for the league and said: “First Friday Bowling League was fun and the hype was unreal! I had one of the best teams!”
“It was great! It was my favorite thing of the year,” said another.
The league held its end-of-year bowling banquet on Friday, June 7, where all participants were awarded trophies and medals.
Energy Credit Union was given the “Best Sponsor Award”; Maria Cacciola and Kevin Donovan from Energy Credit Union were on hand to meet and congratulate the First Friday Bowlers.
The “Best Well-Known Citizen Award” was given to Jack Lawless, retired Peabody teacher and Energy Credit Union board member, who helped facilitate the generous sponsorship.
Spearheading the league were Sharon McGrath of Peabody Public Schools, Heather Driscoll of Gloucester Public Schools, and Sarah Luz of Amesbury Public Schools.
“Thank you to all involved for establishing this bowling league for our Post-High School students,” said Superintendent Vadala. “Not only does it allow students to have fun, but also to build relationships with other students they would not usually interact with.”
