On March 27, students and faculty gathered in the lower gym to spectate and participate in the Student Council’s annual Student Faculty Dodgeball Game. Although a dodgeball game may seem like a casual event, it proved to be an intense, fast-paced competition. The energy in the gym was electric and suspenseful as students cheered from the sidelines, transforming the game into an undeniably memorable spectacle.
This annual match is one of the largest Student Council events each year. Eight teams comprised of ten students each fought hard to win a spot to compete against the faculty team, which notably included Head of School Jason Gallagher. The teams competed in a tournament bracket consisting of three rounds. The tournament began with half-court rounds between two teams, with the winners ultimately competing in the final, full-court match to determine who was worthy of facing off against the faculty team.
With players ranging from sophomores to seniors, students from all backgrounds collaborated in raising money for an incredibly important cause. Profits from ticket sales were directly donated to the Boston BullPen Project, a non-profit organization that works with social service professionals to aid homeless people, veterans, at-risk youth and others in need. The Boston-based organization, founded in 2017, and follows a “pay it forward” philosophy with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life.
Despite the high standards and stress that BLS students often face, they repeatedly show that they are able to have fun with friends while also supporting an impactful organization. The Student Council dodgeball game demonstrates the vast flexibility and versatility among BLS students.
Most students, if not all, have likely experienced a game of dodgeball at least once in their school gym classes. The familiar game brings to light a “full circle [moment],” as Vanessa Vu (I) expresses, who considers the game to be an opportunity to hang out with her friends after school and participate in a “quick activity that allowed [her] to take a break from the other things going on.” Since juniors and seniors are no longer required to take physical education as a class, they enjoyed the opportunity to reminisce about their time as underclassmen in gym class.
The game has evolved throughout the years, attracting more attention each year with an increasing amount of students participating and spectating. The event offers students a break from the pressures of academics and gives them a chance to show their school spirit.
Firm team requirements, including mixed gender requirements and limits on underclassmen, proved to be a challenge for some captains. Junior captain Maxwell Mook (II) experienced sudden drop-outs and had to scramble to find replacements and finalize her team. Nevertheless, BLS students did not hesitate to assist Mook with last minute substitutions to continue the competition. Even in the face of difficulties, Mook looks forward to participating again next year, stating, “I had a great time at the dodgeball game.”
Faculty members also found the experience to be rewarding. Already adored by his students despite being new at BLS, biology teacher Mr. Craig Gordon participated in this event, seeing it as “a chance to interact with my colleagues in a fun way” and “connect with some of my own students, as well as students I had not really gotten to know before.”
Ultimately, the Student Council dodgeball game was more than just a competition; it was an opportunity for classmates to come together and have fun, fostering a profound sense of school spirit and connectivity. By bringing students and faculty together, the game paved the way for students and staff to connect in a setting outside a classroom, bringing their dynamic energy onto the court.