Competitive students fought until the end in a hectic dodgeball tournament in order to raise money for Camp Quality.

On Feb. 2, from 6-8 p.m., student council held a dodgeball tournament for students to have a good time raising money for a summer camp for children who have cancer.

Each player on a team of eight needed to pay $5 in order to play, and the tournament was organized by a bracket system.

“The dodgeball tournament is a fun [event] we do every year so students can have something fun to do in the winter,” senior Kristen Buzaki said. “It’s a great event to bring students together, plus part of the money we make will go to [charity].”

Even if a student was not able to play, he was able to come and cheer on friends and peers. Both the players and those watching were able to build positive connections with other students: the tournament encouraged teamwork and spirit. The goal of the game was not only to have fun while making money for charity but to allow students to build their teamwork skills as well.

“In student council, we try to promote service, spirit and leadership,” Buzaki said. “I think this event especially promotes spirit in the school, enabling students to make new friends and connect with others.”

Many students participated in the enriching activity. After all the teams played through, The Average Joes came out victorious.

Team captain and junior Mohammad Silmi, and his teammates junior Ethan Hanson, junior Justin Racheter, senior Zane Obaid, senior Dakhil Silmi, senior Aron Gloeckler and senior Shane Lavery won the entire tournament against team Mustafa.

“It felt pretty good [to win] because we started off 0-5 then came back and ended up winning the championship,” senior Shane Lavery.

As the school year creeps toward an end, returning students begin preparing for the upcoming year. While many high school students return, new freshman arrive each and year eager for a fresh start in a new school.

“I am very excited [for high school]. I am looking forward to it because it’s a new chapter of my life, and I’m really looking forward to becoming an adult and learning new things along the way,” eighth grader Chris Miller said.

On Wed., Feb. 17, anxious eighth grade students entered the high school to receive the first glimpse at their freshman year in the new school. They came to the high school for an eighth grade orientation to understand a little bit more of what high school will be like.

“I am really looking forward to high school because I don’t really like Kimpton right now. I think that high school will be better because you are allowed more freedom,” eighth grader Maria Leonino said.

As the students entered the building, they all went to the auditorium with their parents and found a seat. Then they sat through an explanation of the orientation, what to schedule for and what to expect coming in on the first day of school next year.

Next they all proceeded to the cafeteria and gym to see the career programs, classes, sporting events, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, support groups and more offered at the high school.

“[While here], I was looking at basketball, soccer, football track, student council, journalism and a few other classes as well,” Miller said.

Many students seemed interested in every option available to them, while others were drawn to a mere one or two.

“I am excited to take creative cooking because I like to cook, and I especially love to eat,” eighth grader Olivia Edwards said.

Some students were attracted to the sports programs, while others were attracted to certain classes.

“I am interested [in taking] teammates, photography and cooking while also maybe doing Hitting 4 Home. They all interest me because I like helping others, taking pictures and I like to cook as well,” Leonino said.

Some eighth grade students are related to other high school students, so they will be going to school with their family relatives.

“I can not wait to see my brother, Logan, at school,” Edwards said.

The eighth grade students all had enthusiasm on their faces to see the possibility in their new education at the high school next year.

Along with a big win for the boys basketball team on Friday Feb. 12, seniors Joe Reitz and Jonathan Cameron left the high school with the winning chili. 

The 2016 chili cook-off was the second year student council hosted this event. In this competition, each participant made their own homemade chili to showcase their talents. Each person tasting the chili received tickets to vote for their favorite chili. The participant with the most tickets at the end of the night would result in winning the competition. 

“The reason for having this event at the high school is to promote community involvement,” said Alex McMahon.

Reitz and Cameron will be rewarded with four Cleveland Cavaliers tickets, provided by Student Council. The money raised by this event along with any other function held by student council, 10% of the proceeds will go to Camp Quality. Camp quality is a year round support program for children with cancer. Student Council has raised over $3,000 for this camp. 

There were five chili’s that competed in this cook-off. The first chili was made by the Steve Buzaki crew, named “Buzz’s Bomb Chili.”

“My favorite chili was senior Kristen Buzaki’s chili, but they were all really good. I think it was a fun and different event to have during the basketball game,” said sophomore Audra Greavu. 

The second chili was made by Sherry Vitone, a speech pathologist at the high school. Vitone named hers “The Sweet Vegan Chili.” The sweet vegan chili consisted of onions, peppers, and a special ingredient of brown sugar. 

The third chili was cooked by a chemistry teacher at the high school, Dean Kinkoph. Kinkoph named his chili “The Chipotle Chili.”

The fourth chili was cooked by a calculus teacher at the high school, Adam Harder. The name of his chili was “The Harder Pork Chili.”

“I thought the chili cook-off was very fun, and we had a pretty good turn out. My personal favorite chili was Harders,” said sophomore Sophie Perez. 

The winning chili was named “JJ’s Chili” cooked by Reitz and Cameron. 

Since the chili cook-off ended in success, student council seeks to continue this event in the following years.