On November 18th, 2024, Bernards High hosted its annual dodgeball tournament. Students were invited to meet at the lower gym at 7:00 to compete in teams of 5 to 8 people. There was two leagues – a friendly league and a competitive league for those who are at different levels of skill. Competitors paid $10 to compete, and all proceeds went to the Make-A-Wish foundation. The competition was able to raise a total of $900 to donate to the Make-A-Wish foundation.
The tournament started with each team playing a few games against others from their league, before starting the actual competition, which was set up in 5 rounds of all the teams playing against one another, where the winner then goes on to play a team who also won their previous game. The winning team was NJLC, made up of Finn and Alex Vaccaro, Ari Rosen, MJ Edwards, Max Austin, Conor Campion, Bryce Babitch, Peter Malleo, and Grayson Meyer. The team has been trying to win the tournament since their freshman year at Bernards. Senior Ari Rosen says that he and his team “have come up short for three years in a row so to go out with a win it felt great.” Ari is also a member of the student council so he also helped organize and plan the event, in addition to taking pictures throughout the competition.
Ms. Snyder and the student council members hosted the event. Ms. Snyder says they “were happy to continue the tradition.” The competition has been a tradition for BHS for many years, and will continue for many years to come.
Competitor Kya Patel ‘28 says that she joined because, “it was something fun to do with my friends that also got us involved with the school.” This is just what the student council board was hoping for: an opportunity for students to have some fun in a controlled environment.
There were lots of laughs, as well as competitive energy surrounding the tournament. Spectators Brinley Cook ‘28 and Caroline Adams ‘28 state, “everyone was really engaged”…”it was a great atmosphere.” Everyone involved had lots of fun, whether they were in the friendly league, competitive league, planning the event, or even just watching.
Ms. Snyder says that the event was, “a total success” and it was “very well-organized” thanks to the student council members and faculty as a whole. She also says bracket master Finn Vaccaro was also a huge help in the overall success of the tournament. With faculty members being referees, and students being scorekeepers, the competition truly could not have run if it wasn’t for the help of those involved with the school.
Cook ‘28 says the competition, “should definitely happen again because I want to participate next time.” Brinley is not the only one; there are students across all grades waiting for next November’s dodgeball tournament. This year’s dodgeball tournament was definitely a success. The entire school had lots of fun, and it will all help out a good cause.
