S.O.A.P. Honors Brockton Middle Schoolers
A no-cost cotillion at Thorny Lea Golf Club recognized nearly 100 students for respect, responsibility, safety and kindness.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Awards
The South Opportunity & Achievement Program Inc. (S.O.A.P.) hosted its first Brockton Cotillion on Friday, October 23 at Thorny Lea Golf Club. Nearly 100 Brockton middle school students attended the event, which was provided at no cost to students or their families.
Why it matters
The event recognized students who demonstrate positive role-model behavior, highlighting respect, responsibility, safety and kindness among young people in the city. Offering the evening free of charge removed cost as a barrier to participation for families.
Nearly 100 Brockton middle school students attended the first S.O.A.P. Brockton Cotillion, which was free to students and families. S.O.A.P. was founded in 2023 as a Brockton-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the source does not indicate attendance targets for future events.
The players
South Opportunity & Achievement Program Inc. (S.O.A.P.)
A Brockton-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2023 that hosted the cotillion for local middle school students.
Jim Stapleton
A South Middle School teacher who serves as founder and president of S.O.A.P.
Alex Alves
A former South Middle School student from the Class of 2025 who provided music at the event.
The details
Students began the evening with a 'Find Someone Who...' scavenger hunt before an Italian buffet and dessert. Throughout the night they danced, sang, took selfies, entered raffles and met students from other Brockton middle schools. Alex Alves, a former South Middle School student from the Class of 2025, provided music.
Timeline
Friday, October 23: First S.O.A.P. Brockton Cotillion held at Thorny Lea Golf Club.
2023: S.O.A.P. founded as a nonprofit.
Season Trajectory
The cotillion is a nonprofit-run recognition event for Brockton middle schoolers, placed alongside school-based student programming. Its free, community-sponsored format offers a model for how local organizations can reward positive student behavior outside the classroom.
Families in Brockton who want to attend a future S.O.A.P. cotillion should watch for announcements, since the event was offered at no cost. Students recognized for respect, responsibility, safety and kindness gained a free evening of games, food and music.
The takeaway
Community events that reward positive behavior can reach students who might otherwise go unrecognized, and removing cost helps ensure broad participation.
Further reading
Explore more Awards coverage from Brockton.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Enterprise.
