PMHS Juniors Dodge Balls to Raise Money for Prom

While some students might rely on selling cookies and yearbooks to raise money for prom, the juniors at Pelham Memorial High School took to organizing its first ever dodgeball tournament to collect the funds they need for the gala.

A total of 32 teams consisting of six players, hit the gym floor for six-minute games.

It ultimately came down to the Turbo Penguins versus Team America for the championship. The Penguins were labeled as the favorites and didn’t disappoint.

“I just think that we put a good squad together,” said Dane Courtien. “Kids were saying that we might have been the favorites and we didn’t want to go anything lower than winning the whole tournament.”

Team America finished in second place and Balls of Fury finished in third. Each received trophies for their efforts.

The tournament was the brainchild of three juniors—Luke Szendiuch, Erik Dzenis and Chris Grecco—who wanted to help lower the cost of prom tickets.

“[We wanted] to do an event that would get everyone involved, a gym type of sport,” Grecco said. “We thought of dodgeball because everyone loves dodgeball. It ended up working perfectly and it was just a great event.”

But while the tournament might be new, pitting students against each other for some heated--and fun--competition is hardly a novel concept at PMHS.

“When you get the whole school involved, everyone is so competitive and has a great time,” Dzenis remarked. “With the school Olympics next week, it was a great pre-cursor.”