Students ‘Get in the Game’ at dodgeball tourney

SPRING MILLS — Students at Penns Valley High School had their own version of March Madness when the second annual “Get in the Game” Dodgeball Tournament and Community Showcase was held March 19.

Rather than basketball, the event featured dodgeball, with about 30 teams of intermediate and high school students in different age groups competing in a high-energy tournament in the school gymnasium. Two games ran simultaneously on two courts in the gym, with brightly-colored soft foam balls taking to the air like artillery shells. Court announcer Mike Durn kept the spectators entertained and involved with his colorful and humorous commentary throughout the games.

Creativing was highlighted in the teams’ names, which included “Balls of Duty,” “Dem Ballers,” “PV Monsters,” “Fluffernutters,” “Scrubzillas” and “Ball-erinas,” a team of girls wearing bright pink tutus and green shirts.

Sportsmanship was evident all day, with teams shaking hands after their games and team members bearing endless smiles, even after being tagged out in the heat of battle.

“Get in the Game” originated last year from a conversation between Mark Messner, pastor of Grace United Methodist Church in Centre Hall, and Brian Griffith, Penn Valley superintendent. Messner discovered that in a survey taken at the school, many students reported a low sense of community involvement and a low religious faith affiliation.

Messner asked his church’s director of ministries, Adam Jepson, to work on an event that would address these issues. Jepson then contacted Darren Narber, of the Penns Valley Youth Center, to see if his organization wanted to get involved in the project. The Penns Valley Youth Center accepted the invitation and began planning the event. Participation in the first tournament far exceeded expectations, and it was decided to hold it again.

About 250 people attended this year’s event, which was sponsored by Grace United Methodist Church, Trinity United Church of Christ, East Penns Valley Ministerium, St. James United Methodist Church, Fellowship Bible Church and Millheim Original Italian Pizza.

In addition to the dodgeball tournament, 25 community groups, including 4-H clubs, the Penns Valley HOPE Fund, the Centre Hall Lions Club, the Penns Valley Penguins swim team, the Penns Valley Youth Center and several churches, manned display tables in the school hallways with information about their organizations. Students were given “passports” to keep track of the booths they visited and get signatures of proof of their visit from the organizations. Completed passports were entered into a drawing for prizes. Free food and drinks were served by adult volunteers in the school cafeteria.

High school principal Dustin Dalton was on hand and praised “Get in the Game.”

“This is a huge event,” Dalton said. “The kids are having a great time.”