Cameron Armstrong
Reporter
On Sunday, April 18th, Pura Vida hosted its second annual Dodgeball Tournament in the main gym to raise money for the organization Feed My Starving Children, which sends food to impoverished countries such as Sudan, Nicaragua, and Haiti.
The food that the organization provides is specially formulated to provide extra nutrition for kids who don’t have access to a broad food pyramid. “The special food is specifically for malnourished kids who can’t eat normal foods,” senior Ian Knechtle, President of Pura Vida, said. “The money raised in this event will be used to purchase special foods that will be packed here at NCHS in an event sometime in May.”
The tournament consisted of 96 participants on 16 competing teams and, to participate, each player had to make a donation of $20.“Each meal only costs 17 cents, so the with donations from all the players participating in the event, a great number of people can be fed,” Ian said.
Ian wanted the tournament to continue the dodgeball theme because many students have become very involved in the competition. “There is a lot of smack talk going around between teams and plenty of funny team names and outfits,” Ian said. “Overall it’s just a very fun environment and benefits a good cause.”
“This event is both for fun and the cause,” Sharon Knechtle, an adult leader of Pura Vida, said. “But we are making sure the kids participating are aware of the benefits their donations will make.”
Students went to the fundraiser to compete and to make a difference with Pura Vida. “I’m here for the competitive side but also for the will of the event,” junior Willie Gould said.
The winning team was “The Danglefests,” consisting of senior Morgan Boniface, and juniors Henry Corcoran, Joe Costigan, Jimmy Joe Granito, Elizabeth Lewis, and sophmore Sarah Mannelly. “Although the competition was great in this solid tournament, the excellent team play and spirit of our team led us to victory,” Joe Costigan said.
