By Rhys Baker

“Four quarters make a whole, so a fifth quarter is a little something extra,” says Clay Counts Coalition Mobilizer Lori Martin. In partnership with the Clay Center Community High School Chapter of Youth Leaders in Kansas, the Clay Counts Coalition has created just that: a fifth quarter. Organizer Izzy Blackwood says the goal is to give kids something to do that doesn’t involve risky behaviors such as alcohol or illegal drug use. “We have Fifth Quarters after Friday night home sports games. Our first football fifth quarter this year was a Luau. We’re on the football field and have food and games directly after the fourth quarter. Everybody’s already in town, they don’t have to get rides, they can stay there until decently late, and it is an opportunity to hang out with their friends.”

Another fifth-quarter event is just around the corner. Blackwood explains, “We are having a game night, where we’ll have card games and that sort of thing. That will be on October 11, after the Concordia game. We try all sorts of things; there’s usually a theme, and there’s always food. The Luau was our biggest one, with 100 kids or more. Fifth quarters are just a fun, safe space to hang out.”

In addition to the luau and game night, the group has rented the Clay Center Aquatic Center for an event, held a pumpkin painting night, and had a movie night event. The group has plans for events after basketball games this year as well.