Students from Downingtown High School East’s HYPE Club recently took to the community to raise awareness about the dangers and legal consequences of underage drinking. As part of “Project Sticker Shock,” club members spent last week at Rocco’s Pizza in Exton placing bold, informative stickers on pizza boxes. Each sticker served as a powerful reminder about the laws surrounding alcohol and the consequences of providing alcohol to minors.
This initiative is apart of Communities That Care of Greater Downingtown. Run in collaboration with Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems, the program aims to educate not only youth, but also parents and community members about the risks and legal implications of underage alcohol consumption. The stickers, prominently displayed on takeout boxes, are designed to catch the attention of customers and spark important conversations at home.
HYPE, which stands for Healthy Youth Positive Energy, is an active student-led club present in six Downingtown Area School District schools: Marsh Creek 6th Grade Center, Lionville Middle School, Downingtown Middle School, Downingtown West High School, Downingtown East High School, and the STEM Academy. With 78 active members leading 16 school-based projects, HYPE empowers students to advocate for healthy school environments. Through leadership, peer-to-peer messaging, and student-driven campaigns, members work to prevent substance use and promote mental and emotional wellness. Guided by dedicated faculty mentors, HYPE students use their voices to influence change, raise awareness, and promote the power of healthy choices through prevention-focused initiatives like Project Sticker Shock.
The Downingtown East students expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work with both Holcomb Prevention and Rocco’s Pizza. These partnerships made the campaign possible and effective, showing the strength of community collaboration in addressing public health concerns.
Efforts like this serve as a reminder that when local businesses, schools, and health organizations join forces, meaningful change is possible. By bringing awareness directly into homes (one pizza box at a time!) the HYPE Club is helping to create a more informed and responsible community.
Handel’s recently celebrated their one year anniversary! Read more here.
