SUNUP, N.H. — On Sunday morning, 328 young men and women graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, one of the most prestigious preparatory schools in the world.

Less than 24 hours later, nearly a quarter of them, 74, were taken into custody from an underage party in Sunapee, N.H. One 19-year-old student, Rhaime Kim of Seoul Korea, faces up to a year in prison for allegedly facilitating the party.

Police Chief David Cahill said Kim rented the party house from a private business from Sunday, June 7, through Tuesday, June 9, for the purpose of the party. She’s charged with facilitating an underage party at the home and was released on $2,500 personal recognizance.

Twenty-three others were charged with either transporting alcohol as minors or underage possession of alcohol. The other 51 were placed in protective custody.

Established in 1778, the selective Phillips Academy in Andover counts both presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush among its alumni. Graduates typically matriculate to top-tier colleges including Yale, Stanford, Harvard, and Columbia, as it was originally set up as a Yale feeder school.

A booze-fueled graduation bash

Police received a call at around 4 a.m. Monday about a young man who was hanging out of the window of a vehicle and appeared to be unresponsive, according to Officer Adam Lantiegne. Officers who went to the scene reported finding numerous vehicles parked near a house at 23 Trow Hill Road as well as evidence that a large group of teenagers had been drinking alcohol, police said.

The police borrowed a bus from the Sunapee School District to transport the young partiers to the station, where they were processed. After being booked, the teens were released to their parents or other responsible adults.

Those who were charged with alcohol offenses are scheduled to appear in the 5th Circuit Court in Newport on Aug. 4.

No injuries were reported and none of the teens had to be treated for medical issues, police said. There was damage to the property at 23 Trow Hill Road, however, police said.

The New Hampshire State Police as well as officers from New London, Goshen and Newport assisted the local department in handling the situation.

Tracy Sweet, director of communications for Phillips Academy, issued the following statement: 

“We take this matter seriously and are disappointed in the alleged actions of this group of recent graduates. These actions do not reflect what we know to be the true character of the graduating class. We are grateful for the actions of the police to keep these students safe, in spite of what appears to be poor decision-making. We are relieved they are safe. In the weeks and days leading up to commencement, our head of school and our deans make proactive efforts to encourage students and families to celebrate responsibly. Given those serious communications, hearing this news is even more disappointing.” 

The Sunapee police identified the 74 young people taken into custody as recent graduates of Phillips. Asked if this information is accurate, Sweet said, “We do not have the names of those who were taken into custody, and therefore, we cannot confirm that all who were present are affiliated with the school.” 

Paul Tennant of The Eagle-Tribune reported this story. It has been updated.