It isn’t every day that teachers and students get to pelt each other for fun, and for a good cause.
Armed with squishy, foam balls, Schaumburg High School hosted its Saxon Dodgeball Tournament last week to raise money for the junior and senior prom. Teams were divided into 10 players each, with four student teams–one from each class–and two teacher teams.
In the week leading up to the tournament, a good-natured competitiveness emerged, said teacher Becky Blankenship.
“It’s really spawned a lot of friendly rivalry,” Blankenship said. “But it’s all in good fun.”
Teachers got into the competitive spirit, with math and science teachers on team “Dodge This!” and social science and English teachers on team “Dodge What?”
The idea was partly inspired by the 2004 movie “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story” starring Chicagoan Vince Vaughn, Blankenship said. Last year, teachers played in their own dodgeball league.
“It costs $50,000 to put on prom,” Blankenship said. “Whatever we don’t fundraise we have to incorporate in the ticket price. We try to fundraise as much as possible so we can keep our ticket price affordable for students.”
About 475 people attended the tournament, paying $3 a ticket. The event raised about $1,425 for the May 6 prom, said teacher Jamie Kassner.