Woonsocket Middle School Faculty vs. Student Basketball Game

Both teams played to win Thursday night at a basketball challenge between students and faculty at Woonsocket Middle School at Hamlet, but the real fun of the evening came at half-time when the students got to pie their administrators.

In a PTA event put together by Assistant Principal Robert Picard, Trish Patrie and Richard Gramstorff, students faced off in a serious battle on the courts and then "pied" the brave souls willing to be covered in whipped cream and chocolate.

Twenty-five students joined the game against 11 members of the Middle School faculty in a challenge refereed by Bernon Heights Principal George Nasuti. It was a night of fun, but make no mistake: this was a real ball game as students and administrators alike showed some serious athleticism.  The stakes were high: teacher Corey Lamoureux told his class that if the students won, he'd teach for one day in a dress. 

The game was evenly matched with the teachers staying ahead by only one or two points for most of the first half. DJ Equalizer, a volunteer for the night, blasted some adrenalin-pumping dance and rock tunes to keep the teams motivated, playing a mix of everything from the Dropkick Murphys to Survivor.

At half-time a cut-board, made by Mr. Cutler and painted by Norberto Marin and Rafael Matias, was set up and the real fun began. Picard and Lamoureux joined Principal Patrick McGee, Assistant Principal Steve Boss and Vice Principal Linda Kuras in a clear display of their dedication, as students lined up to throw pie at the educators' faces for just $1. Chocolate and whipped cream covered the administrators for around 45 minutes before the kids had enough.  

After a quick clean-up, the group was back on the courts. Students Elihah Vasquez and Jacquis Rui Vieira stood out with some great baskets and assists, but it wasn't enough to take down Guidance Director Rhonda Dion or teacher Michael Skodras, who helped to win the game for the teachers. 

"It was really about the kids. They had a blast," said Patrie. The event raised funds for the school's PTA and was the first of its kind. Patrie said she hopes to organize similar functions annually.

"It was great to see the students and teachers have a good time together."