Bring it on

Stu-Co hosts dodgeball tournament

Dodgeball and peanut butter. The two don’t seem to go hand-in-hand, but Nov. 19, visitors were welcome to pay a $2 entry fee or donate a jar of peanut butter to witness history.

Students, educators and community members assembled at the Ellsworth Jr./Sr. High School gym to duke it out in a dodgeball tournament, raising money for good causes, but to also earn bragging rights.

“We were looking for something different to raise monies for those in our area this holiday season, and we thought it sounded like a good option to try,” Student Council Sponsor Kendra Ploutz said.

The gym was packed with competitors and spectators. The peanut butter was donated to the Ellsworth Food Bank and money raised was split between the food bank and the Christmas Store in Ellsworth.

Sporting a blue jumpsuit and patriotic visor, teacher Steve Thorburn coached his team, Daj Mabal.

“We were a little late, we missed our calisthenics. I was a little worried. After a few balls were thrown, I knew we would come out on top,” he said. “I put this team together because we all enjoy winning. We knew the competition here would not be that good. This is a good place to get warmed up for nationals.”

The team advanced to the second round, but was ultimately eliminated.

But it was all in good fun. Across the gym, sophomore Jace Thomasson sat on the bleachers with friends and classmates. His team sported bright orange safety vests with an array of colorful skirts.

“We’re trying to raise money for the Christmas Store and the food bank,” he said. “Peanut butter is the No. 1 requested item.”

In all, Ploutz said 36 jars of peanut butter were donated, and more than $550 was raised to support the local charities.

“We are very pleased with the turnout in teams, as well as patrons who came to watch,” she said. “We’re looking forward to building on this next year as we continue to support two worthy causes in our county.”

It was an evening filled with banter, plenty of foam balls and antics galore.

Stu-Co member Charlotte Bettenbrock said the club was exploring options to raise money for the holiday season. It explored the idea of a basketball tournament, but the five-person teams felt limiting.

“It started off just being teachers and students, and someone mentioned their mom wanted to start a dodgeball team,” she said.

Ploutz said she welcomed the community involvement.

“I received a phone call from a parent of one of our Stu-Co members,” she said. “She said that Ellsworth County Medical Center was willing to put together a team for the event, and it could be used to challenge other community members to do the same. I pounced on the idea, as it seemed a fun way to bring in more community support.”

Ploutz said more than a dozen teams entered the competition: two teacher teams, one Stu-Co team, three community teams, one Kanopolis Middle School team and six student teams. A 10-person team could enter for $20.

The evening concluded with team John Pork Patrol, comprised of junior and senior boys, defeating Bubble Guppies, a junior high team.

Even though Daj Mabal suffered a bitter loss, Thorburn said fun, recreational events are important for the community.

“We need to get together and have fun together,” he said. “Ultimately, we need to determine who the greatest athletes in the community are. I pull from a few different places. Maybe I have an unfair advantage with my team. All-in-all, it’s a good event.”

EJSHS senior Bergin Wacker said she was recruited to participate on the Stu-Co team, but the most important part of the evening was to have a good time.

“I’m not a dodgeball enthusiast, but I do love to win,” she said. “I came here with a winning mentality and I’m going to leave with a winning mentality.”

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