This year marked the 13th annual celebration of P.S. I Love You Day and the fifth year it’s been celebrated here at Hampton Bays High School.
In 2010, a West Islip family, the DiPalma’s, experienced a tragedy that would alter their lives forever. Brooke DiPalma had recently turned 14 when she returned home from school on April 23 to find her father, Joseph DiPalma, had died by suicide.
Just a month prior to the DiPalmas losing their father, a senior at West Islip High School also lost their life to suicide. These tragedies brought the town together and made everyone realize how precious living is. The town’s newfound togetherness gave Brooke DiPalma an idea to make a difference. Seven months later, with the help of her school and her family, she created P.S. I Love You Day, in remembrance of the last words her father had said to her, “I love you.”
P.S. I Love You Day is celebrated the second Friday of February every year in many towns, particularly across Suffolk County. Long Island schools and communities are encouraged to wear purple to stand up against bullying, help end depression, prevent suicide, spread positive messages, and remind everyone that they are not alone.
Tri-M member and junior at Hampton Bays High School Kaya Raynor shares her appreciation of the day. “I remember first learning about P.S. I Love You Day and celebrating it in middle school. I thought it was sweet, like a nice way to remind the people in your life that you love them and that they matter.”
The Hampton Bays Tri-M Music Honor Society, run by chorus teacher Mrs. Padilla, takes charge in promoting ways to celebrate P.S. I Love You Day. They write positive and uplifting notes which are placed on every lockers and walls all over the school. They also set up a table outside the cafeteria where students can go during their off periods to write a kind letter to a friend or someone they love.
Tri-M advisor Mrs. Padilla has been in charge of running P.S. I Love You Day since her first year at the high school in the 2019-2020 school year. Mrs. Padilla likes that the school’s organization “focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention” as she believes they are “important topics that need to be discussed.” For future years Mrs. Padilla hopes to work with Tri-M members to expand the school’s involvement in P.S. I Love You Day and is always open to new ideas and volunteers.
