Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Roll hats. Hard to believe. It's time for the 5th annual roll hats Weekend at Quincy High School. That time of Quincy High School pride and school spirits. Coach Bob Noble, the founder of the organization, is here with us. And this year's madam and Mr. President, Chris Sheehy and Frankie Diaz. So roll hats, everybody. Welcome.
[00:00:20] Speaker B: Thank you. Thank you once again for having me.
[00:00:22] Speaker A: Yeah, this is hard to believe, Bob, but five years now for this,
[00:00:29] Speaker B: and it's just getting better every year in terms of what's being added to it and whatever the case may be, and the enthusiasm for it as well.
I'm very proud of the fact that it's continued such as it has. And I give the credit to the administration, Mr. Ford, Mr. Smith, and far more than that to young people such as these students.
[00:00:53] Speaker A: Right, yeah. The participants. For folks who aren't aware, I mean, there's new people coming into the city all the time. New students coming into the high school all the time. What's roll hats, Coach?
[00:01:03] Speaker B: Well, that's the purpose of it, for people to see what Quincy High School is really all about. It's not just schools. It's not just, I mean, doing classwork, whatever the case may be.
It has so many opportunities to succeed in there through the various vocational, technical programs, the athletic programs, the various other, you know, such as drama, so on and so forth, just to name a couple.
All of that is available to the students here. There are some great things that can go well there. I mean, the other thing, too is academically, our top student who graduated last year went on to Yale,
[00:01:55] Speaker A: Ivy League schools. We're talking.
[00:01:57] Speaker B: Yeah. So the point I'm trying to make is there's a lot of good things going on at Quincy High School. There's a lot of good things that can happen for you at Quincy High School if you want to put in the time and the effort.
[00:02:07] Speaker A: Yeah. Where'd you come up with the idea for this kind of school pride event? Well, was that something that happened?
[00:02:13] Speaker B: Yeah, I was actually at that present time, I was actually coaching football at Hingham High School.
And they had a Saturday afternoon event.
They had all the various programs within the school on tables all around the football field. There was a football game, a soccer game, the whole thing. But what it showed, once again, the point was this is what Hingham High School has to offer.
Not just as I said, the athletic field was just there because it was large enough to have all this stuff. And I came to the. I'm looking at all this and I'm saying we've got facilities in Quincy if and when I go back there.
[00:03:03] Speaker A: Oh yeah, okay.
[00:03:06] Speaker B: We have facilities there that can make this really something special. We're very fortunate to have one of the best stadiums, if not the best, in eastern Massachusetts.
We've got a brand new school with all the, you know, with everything you could possibly need there. So it was, you know, I decided or asked the administration, I said, look, I, I have this idea and I'd like you to take a look at it. And fortunately, here we are five years later.
[00:03:39] Speaker A: Yeah, five years. Did you ever think that would catch on like it has and grow like it has?
[00:03:44] Speaker B: Yeah, you always want to think so. Yes, absolutely. Yeah. But to have it continue such as this and get better.
Yeah. Makes me feel good.
[00:03:53] Speaker A: I bet, I bet.
[00:03:54] Speaker B: Yeah.
[00:03:55] Speaker A: Is there plans to maybe grow it in the future? Would you like it to become something more?
[00:04:00] Speaker B: Well, to be perfectly honest with you, all that stuff is done by these other people.
I'm just the.
[00:04:05] Speaker A: You're the inspiration.
[00:04:06] Speaker B: Yeah. The face of it, I guess. I don't know if that's good or bad,
[00:04:11] Speaker A: but this year we have two outstanding representatives. Yes, we do, madam and Mr. President. So welcome to Frankie Diaz and Chris Sheehy. Guys, thanks for coming over.
[00:04:20] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:04:20] Speaker A: Getting you out of school here for a little bit this afternoon. Right. To talk about this, why don't we start with you, Chris. Tell me first of all a little bit about your story at Quincy High School.
[00:04:29] Speaker C: I'm a four year student athlete at Quincy High School. I play football and hockey and I got the honor to take on the role of Mr. President this year.
[00:04:41] Speaker A: Yep.
When that was approached to you, what was your first reaction?
[00:04:46] Speaker C: I was like kind of shocked that I got chosen for it. But I've known Scotty for a long time, so it was cool for him to reach out and let me work with him on this.
[00:05:00] Speaker A: Scott Campbell you're talking about as well? Yeah. So you're senior this year?
[00:05:04] Speaker C: Yes, sir.
[00:05:04] Speaker A: Okay. How has your career been at Quincy High School?
[00:05:08] Speaker C: It's been good. I'm in the plumbing program at Quincy High School. I have been for the past three years and yeah, I've enjoyed all four of my years up in Quincy.
[00:05:20] Speaker A: Ya know, what's our future hopes or plans? Plans, Chris.
[00:05:24] Speaker C: I plan on joining the plumbers union after graduation.
[00:05:27] Speaker A: Okay. So there's a lot of opportunity in the trades right now, as you're aware. And you've been able to get that experience. Have you participated in other roll hats weekends at Quincy High?
[00:05:37] Speaker C: Yes, I've attended all four and then I haven't played in any of the games. But this year football.
[00:05:46] Speaker A: Football.
[00:05:46] Speaker C: Yep.
[00:05:47] Speaker A: Okay. For folks we should mention, I guess, when it is right, roll hats weekend, October 2nd and 3rd.
Quincy High School. So it's Friday and Saturday are the events and Madam President Frankie Diaz is here as well. Frankie, welcome.
[00:06:02] Speaker D: Thank you.
[00:06:03] Speaker A: Tell me a little bit about your career so far at Quincy High.
[00:06:05] Speaker D: I also am a four year student athlete. I play volleyball, basketball and lacrosse and I'm a captain of all three of the sports.
Quincy High School just always has been like a welcoming community. I feel like I've never been scared to like try something new or join a club or anything. I'm also part of the Morgan's Message Club which promotes like mental health for student athletes.
So we make that a priority to make sure that mental health become comes before like your performance.
And I have played in a bunch of roll hats games for volleyball which is October 2nd and yeah, I just, I've really enjoyed my four years at Quincy High. I'm also part of the early education and care class.
[00:06:53] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:06:54] Speaker D: So when I graduate I will become a certified preschool teacher.
[00:06:58] Speaker A: Okay. So that's your goal going forward. Okay. Do you have the school in advance? Already planned.
[00:07:04] Speaker D: Yeah. I want to go to college to become a physical therapist for young athletes.
[00:07:07] Speaker A: Okay, very good. So you have participated in roll hats before. When they approached you this year to become Madam President, what was your reaction?
[00:07:16] Speaker D: I was really excited.
Friend Ellie Crump, she was the one who asked me. She was the former Madam President and I was really excited to take on the role because I'm a senior so it's like my last year. So being as involved as I can was like really important to me.
[00:07:30] Speaker A: Yeah. So why should students at Quincy High participate in Roll Hats Weekend? Frankie?
[00:07:36] Speaker D: It just shows how like much like of a tight knit community we are. We support everyone from like robotics clubs to the football games. It's really just really inclusive. Everyone gets to showcase what they like and I think that's really special.
[00:07:51] Speaker A: Sure.
So Chris, if you can tell me a little bit about that actual Friday Saturday, what will actually be happening?
[00:07:58] Speaker C: So there will be a lot of activities, games and clubs like showing off up at the stadium on Saturday and basically just go up to their table, ask what everything's about.
They'll have representatives there to explain everything.
Then there will be boys soccer, girls soccer and football game that day. It's senior night for football so there's just a lot of fun activities and stuff up there.
Come check it out.
[00:08:27] Speaker A: Yeah, I'll run down the schedule real quick. Friday, October 2, girls volleyball taking on Plymouth South 5:30 in the gym at Quincy High.
Then On Saturday the 3rd, it's girls soccer taking on Barnstable 11am at the stadium.
Also on that Saturday, boys soccer at 1 o', clock taking on O' Brien at the stadium. And then the football game will be that Saturday at 5 o'. Clock. New Bedford, tough team.
Looking at the code.
These are free, right, Coach? There's no charge for community to attend any of these events or anything.
[00:09:06] Speaker B: That's the thing. Many of the activities, as Frankie mentioned, are also there at tables on the field in the school as well. Again, the whole purpose of this being, as Frankie explained very well, that this is all inclusive. It's not just sports. It's all the other activities that are allowed or that we have at Quincy High School that students can get into and in many cases develop lifelong friends, whatever that activity may be. Maybe it goes on beyond their four years here.
You know, for example, going back to the vocational programs.
[00:09:48] Speaker C: Yes.
[00:09:49] Speaker B: Plumbing program, your program. I mean these are the things that are available at Quincy High School and they're well worth taking advantage of for anybody.
[00:09:57] Speaker A: This is a way to find out about them.
[00:09:58] Speaker B: It sure is.
[00:09:59] Speaker A: And see the students in action at the same time.
But you can bring younger kids too. There's going to be a bouncy house. I understand.
Face painting. And let's not forget the combined Quincy North Quincy band will be.
[00:10:13] Speaker B: That's correct.
An outstanding, oh, award winning school system. Yeah, yeah.
It really becomes something.
[00:10:22] Speaker A: Absolutely. And President's pride.
[00:10:24] Speaker B: So our cheerleading program has become very extremely well too.
[00:10:28] Speaker A: Yes, absolutely.
[00:10:29] Speaker B: It really has. And it's just again, the school is really evolving, perhaps is the best way I'll put it. There's just so many things you can do here and be a part of and succeed.
[00:10:43] Speaker A: So let's talk to the Mr. Madam President here. Yes, you'll be donning your pink, I'm seeing here with your roll hat, slogan and your Uncle Sam hats. So what, what is each of your responsibility during World Hats Weekend? Chris, start with you.
[00:11:03] Speaker C: I will be there for the volleyball and soccer games.
Just popping around at all the activities and the crowd cheering on. And then I'll be on the field for the football game.
[00:11:14] Speaker A: Okay. What position do you play by the way?
[00:11:17] Speaker C: Defensive back.
[00:11:18] Speaker A: Okay. And in between these events, I mean, you're going to be rallying school spirit, you know, what's your duty as president?
[00:11:28] Speaker C: Kind of just participating in everything and getting the crowd going.
[00:11:32] Speaker A: Maybe a little singing, a Little dancing,
[00:11:35] Speaker C: whatever I'm asked to do.
[00:11:38] Speaker A: How about you, Frankie?
[00:11:39] Speaker D: On October 2nd, I'll be playing in the volleyball game. But on Saturday, we like to go around, interview people, interview everyone, make sure everyone's involved. And then during halftimes of the games, we like to do fun games like Dizzy bat.
Everyone can get a group of four or five, and that's a fun thing to do. Which will also be on the screen up top.
[00:12:02] Speaker A: The big screen you're talking about.
[00:12:03] Speaker D: Yeah.
And then during the football game, I'll be in the student section making sure everyone's being loud for the football players.
And. Yeah, it's a really fun day.
[00:12:12] Speaker A: Yeah. So are these shirts that you have on available for folks?
[00:12:16] Speaker D: They are, yeah. A bunch of the athletes get them, and then everyone makes a video for their sport that Scott will put together. But Scott has a bunch of them, and I think they're available on Rural Hats.
[00:12:29] Speaker A: Okay, and how about the hats? Are those just exclusively for the president?
[00:12:32] Speaker D: Yeah, just for the president.
[00:12:34] Speaker A: Okay, very good.
There is social media presence. Right. For Rural Hats weekends.
And some folks who have really helped to support this. Right. That you wanted to thank.
Yeah. So tell us about that, if you can.
[00:12:49] Speaker D: The Fowler house Cafe.
John McNeil and the McNeil family, they really help and contribute to Roll hats. So we wanted to thank them.
[00:12:59] Speaker A: Sure. I think his son was Mr. President last year.
[00:13:02] Speaker D: Yeah.
[00:13:02] Speaker A: Okay.
[00:13:04] Speaker D: And Coffee Break Cafe, the law offices of Patrick Foley. He's the one who bought all of our shirts.
[00:13:14] Speaker C: The Merry Men Foundation. Alicia Gardner donated all the Roll hats uniforms.
[00:13:19] Speaker B: And who is my sister.
[00:13:22] Speaker A: Ah, of course.
[00:13:23] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:13:24] Speaker A: It's a family affair. Right, Bo?
[00:13:26] Speaker B: If I didn't say that, you wouldn't
[00:13:29] Speaker A: be able to go home.
[00:13:30] Speaker B: Let's see. The phone would start ringing about five minutes after that.
[00:13:33] Speaker A: Absolutely. Hey, I think it's important. Yeah. To show that there's, you know, a family connection and there's community support like these folks behind this. It makes. It makes these kind of events possible. Really? You know, because these are not included in the regular budget, if you will, you know, for the school department. So to have folks like this step forward. Sorry, Chris. Anybody else?
[00:13:54] Speaker C: And then to Coach Noble, Mr. Ford and all the administrators at Kunzeha, athletic directors Kevin Mahoney and Matt Rodriguez, all the coaches, booster clubs, clubs and activity leaders, QATV and their ongoing support. And Scotty Campbell.
[00:14:12] Speaker A: Absolutely. Now, you mentioned a video. Who put the video together and who's the actors in the video?
[00:14:19] Speaker D: So Scott Campbell puts it together, but we brought a bunch of athletes from every fall Sport, all the seniors. And we just got to make like sort of a hype video just to get us ready for roll hats. So we introduced Roll Hats weekend and what we'll bring as we do slingshots and stuff at the games. Just trying to make sure people know how fun it is so they can come and support.
[00:14:41] Speaker A: Okay. And where the video will be online?
[00:14:43] Speaker D: Yeah, it's already posted on the Facebook.
[00:14:46] Speaker A: And what's happening at Quincy High School leading up to roll Hats Weekend? Are there events, are there decorations? You know, tell me about that.
[00:14:55] Speaker D: Not inside the school, there's no decorations. But on the announcements like in the morning they'll probably announce it about like just to be there, make sure people are aware to show up and stuff. We usually get a good attendance during the Royal Hats weekend though, because it's just such a fun event.
[00:15:10] Speaker A: Yeah, I was going to ask about how many folks do you think participate? Not including the athletic teams, obviously.
[00:15:16] Speaker D: A bunch of the clubs go like during the football games. They all have their own tables and they do fun activities. One group made slime and I know there's robots.
[00:15:26] Speaker A: Wait a minute, is there going to be slime tossing during world?
[00:15:28] Speaker D: There might be.
[00:15:29] Speaker A: Okay, don't wear your Sunday best then.
[00:15:33] Speaker B: Hope it's not during the football.
[00:15:35] Speaker A: Not during the football game.
Okay. And is there a. I mean roll hats is kind of like the rallying cry for the Quincy High School presidents. Right. It's like the cheer, if you will.
So does it also include other school pride events or is it specifically for this weekend?
[00:15:55] Speaker D: We're trying to do one for the winter as well, the roll hats winter event. And then we're also trying to put together like an EPC's for the sports which will highlight best performance, best plays and stuff like that.
[00:16:07] Speaker A: Yeah. Okay, so really continue it on past the sports theme.
[00:16:10] Speaker D: Yeah, we still need to put it together though, but we're working on it.
[00:16:13] Speaker A: All right, well, you haven't got much time. You're both seniors. You got to get it. Working on it. Okay. Anything else you wanted to share about roll hats?
[00:16:21] Speaker D: I think we covered it.
[00:16:22] Speaker A: Covered it all. Chris.
[00:16:23] Speaker C: We're good.
[00:16:24] Speaker A: Coach, what do you think?
[00:16:25] Speaker B: I think as I mentioned earlier before, these two examples are the examples of exactly what you can be at Quincy High School. Outstanding students involved in all of the things in the school.
And the very fact that they can sit here and articulate themselves extremely well, it's impressive for me, I'll put it that way.
[00:16:51] Speaker A: I mean the opportunities are there at Quincy High.
You just need to Take advantage of. And I think for your colleagues, your classmates, to see the two of you taking advantage of the programs, both educational, athletic, and school pride that are offered might be an inspiration to them to say, oh, if Chris and Frankie can do it, maybe I could too. Right. To kind of be role models. Do either one of you ever think of yourself as that?
[00:17:18] Speaker D: My coaches sometimes will tell me. And I just want to be a role model to show people, like, don't be scared to do what you want to do. Like, no one's going to judge you.
And Quincy High really is just. It's really welcoming, so you can really. There's so much you can do and so many different things you can do.
[00:17:34] Speaker A: Yeah. Were you kind of in your shell when you were a freshman?
[00:17:37] Speaker D: Yeah, I was definitely scared, but once I realized, like, how nice of a community it is, I got to join things that I liked, not just because other people were doing it.
[00:17:48] Speaker C: Yeah.
[00:17:48] Speaker A: Chris, did you have the same experience? Would you say?
[00:17:51] Speaker C: Yeah, I feel like I felt the same way when I was a freshman, and then now I'm, like, kind of like a role model to those younger guys who felt like how I did.
[00:18:00] Speaker A: Yeah, it's a bit of a responsibility, right?
[00:18:03] Speaker C: Yeah, definitely.
[00:18:04] Speaker A: But probably fun and rewarding, too, at the same time.
All right. Hey, I want to thank you all for coming in, sharing your stories, and welcoming folks to Roll Hats weekend. Again. It's October 2nd and 3rd at Quincy High School.
So just on social media, I guess, find the schedule, more information. Okay. Do you need help that weekend in terms of volunteer opportunities or.
I don't know.
[00:18:30] Speaker D: Usually the athletes will join, like, their tables, and the people in the clubs will set up a table like prior years. Basketball and volleyball have the same table. And I would go because I played on that team. And we do face paint and stuff. So usually the people in the clubs make their own tables and they help out.
[00:18:47] Speaker A: Okay. All right, Very good. And anything else you'd like to add?
[00:18:51] Speaker B: I think we're good.
[00:18:52] Speaker A: I think we forgot the most important thing.
[00:18:53] Speaker B: Yes.
[00:18:54] Speaker A: The chant. Right, Right.
Are we ready? No, that's. No, Chris. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. This is big.
[00:19:02] Speaker C: This is big.
[00:19:03] Speaker A: We're gonna do it in three, two, one, Roll hats.
Thanks again to all of you, and thanks for watching us here at AM Quincy. I'm Joe Catalano. We'll see you next time.
