Students piled into the gym as the dodgeball tournament neared its start. Individuals signed up with friends, forming their own dodgeball teams to compete in the first-ever CCHS dodgeball tournament.
A collaboration between Interact and DECA Fashion, the tournament was created with the intent of raising money for charity. DECA Fashion donated to Relay for Life and Interact collected to donate water filtration systems to Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands.
“It feels really good to know that you are making a difference through your club,” DECA Membership Experience Director Tayler Ford said.
The Fashion Club has raised thousands of dollars over the years as it has participated in Relay For Life and hopes to continue the pattern despite the lack of response from students this year.
“This year it’s a little different because Relay for Life is not here [at CCHS] so it’s not getting the recognition it usually does,” DECA Fashion adviser Linda Snider said.
“It feels really good to know that you are making a difference through your club.”
Despite initially struggling to match the funds raised by the club in the past, many of Snider’s students have joined their relay team and have raised their own funds to donate to the cause.
This year’s main fundraiser, the dodgeball tournament, was decided on because the simplicity of the game makes it available to virtually anyone. Teams of six were formed with each player paying six dollars to play. Teams were able to play multiple games in the tournament before the final winner was determined.
With a total of nine teams competing, the gym was split into four sections, one for each team, as two games of dodgeball commenced at the same time. While the games went on, snacks were sold in an effort to maximize the profits for the event.
Though spectators may not have officially signed up to play the game, many ended up attempting to dodge rogue balls from the stands themselves. Freshman Chloe Zacca formed a team with her friends and recounted her experience.
“I laughed with my friends, and that’s all that matters even though we didn’t win.”
“It was a fun way to get together with my friends,” Zacca said. “At first playing against the team of seniors was very scary but then, once out on the court, it was fun. I laughed with my friends, and that’s all that matters even though we didn’t win.”
Each team came up with their own creative names, the winning team being the “The Dynamic Diabetics.” Another comedic aspect of the event can be traced back to the movie “Dodgeball.” Volunteers donned yellow “Average Joe’s” shirts similar to those featured in the movie.
“I think one of the best parts of this event is seeing the camaraderie and the silliness,” Snider said. “I think we need more of that at our school, just to come out and have fun and not be worried about everything else going on.”
The event is set to become an annual event in the coming years, and the clubs hope that they can do their best to raise as much as possible for their respected organizations.
“I really like that people can have fun and play dodgeball while we raise money and I think that is such a cool concept,” Interact Corresponding Secretary Victoria Pera said. “I’m excited to see how it does next year.”
Photo by Alexandra Sansone
