Lizzy Burke
Reporter
On Sunday, Mar. 18, students, parents and volunteers gathered at the high school gym for the annual Pura Vida Dodgeball Tournament. The Pura Vida club, who dedicates their time to raising awareness for starving children in impoverished countries such as Ghana and Costa Rica, saw a turn-out of 52 kids at the event.
According to club leader Sharon Knechtle, the tournament helps raise money for another event the club will be holding in May. “The money goes to help pay for the food that we will be packing to help the organization Feed Starving Children. The packing event is on May 19th and 20th in the NCHS lounge,” Knechtle said.
Though the dodgeball tournament has returned steady numbers every year, it’s not the only one that is held by Pura Vida: there is a different sport tournament for every season.“In the fall it’s football, in the spring it’s volleyball and in the winter it’s dodgeball,” junior Georgia Hunsinger said. “It’s something that kids don’t usually play. At the Pura Vida sports camp during the summer it’s played, and it’s always one of the campers favorite games.”
Freshman Emma Rosenstein said that she participated to get involved with the community. “It’s not exactly an everyday sport, and the tournament gets everyone involved and has all ages playing together,” she said. “Being a freshman, it seemed like a great way to get involved with helping my community.”
Sophomore Dan Finn, who also said that it was great because he usually doesn’t get to play dodgeball, appreciated the use of the money. “Kids love to play dodgeball, since it’s not something you usually play,” he said. “It’s awesome to know that the $22 you spend to sign up is being put to use – $22 feeds 100 starving children.”
This year’s tournament raised around $1,200, feeding an estimated total of 5,200 starving children. The event has become a huge success and a great time for all those involved. “The purpose of the dodge ball tournament is to have a fun event in the context of helping others,” Ms. Knechtle said.
