Malden and Revere High School students team up with police to play ball

  Multiple agencies throughout Revere and Malden collaborated to provide a comprehensive program with a focus on building a healthy community last Friday night at Revere High School. As part of the Revere Cares Mini Grant series, the Revere Police Activities League (PAL), the Revere Police Department, Revere Parks and Recreation and the Revere/Malden High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams engaged in on court competition, lectures and discussions with Revere police officers and other community building activities. The boys’ and girls’ teams from Lynn English High School, Winthrop High School and Malden High School joined the Revere High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams for a successful evening of events. Revere Police Chief David Callahan addressed the participants and credited the student athletes for their dedication and commitment for attending the event on a Friday night during school vacation week.

  PAL Director Kris Oldoni said the large turnout of student athletes and the level of positive engagement was a good indication of what youths are looking for in activities and programming. “As a community, it is very important for us to provide the necessary supports and offer programming that provides a variety of opportunities for positive interactions in a safe environment,” Oldoni said.

  Positive relationships are often at the center of success, as is the case with the Revere High School boys’ and girls’ basketball coaches, the PAL and the Revere Police Department. Revere High Girls’ Basketball Coach Christopher Porazzo worked for Revere PAL as a high school student athlete; now he is able extend his vision while collaborating with local agencies as he builds a successful program at the high school level. Boys’ Basketball Coach David Leary has played an important role in the PAL program as well as supporting his players throughout the community. Other PAL personnel and Assistant Coaches John Leone, Michael Micicchi and Thomas Chea and Lynn English Girls’ Head Coach Travonne Berry Rogers have been involved with the PAL program for a number of years.