High School Presents Ballin’ Against Bullying

By Spencer Barnett-

Leave the trash talking on the court. A basketball tournament is being held at the high school to promote awareness of bullying.

On Sunday, March 27, at 12 p.m., the Penn Manor Varsity Club is set to hold a co-ed  3 v 3 basketball tournament in the East Gym. The event is open to students in grades 9-12, the faculty and the surrounding Penn Manor community.

“The idea behind this is that we have an athletic club that wanted an athletic event,” said Kimberly Marsh, adviser for the Varsity Club. “We can use it to educate people on a topic, like bullying.”

One thing that Marsh wants is to open the event to more than just Penn Manor students.

“This event is not only to promote bullying awareness, but to bring the community members together and have fun,” said Marsh. “I’m really encouraging the community members to get involved.”

Dan Elliot, a senior Varsity Club member and volunteer for the event, is looking for students to participate.

“We’re holding this to increase bullying awareness, ball hard and have a good time,” said Elliot. “Competition will be at a premium and there will be lots of teachers involved.”

One of the teachers, Erick Dutchess, has his hopes high on, as he said, “utterly decimating” the competition in the tournament.

“Mr. Fowler, Mr. Staub, Mr. Swartz and I are open to any challengers, all in the name of battling bullying,” said Dutchess. “We anticipate fierce, yet mediocre, competition from the students, with minimal contest coming from the few ‘basketball’ players entering the tourney.”

How’s that for talking smack?

Along with the 3 v 3 tournament going on, there are also plenty of other things to do.

“There is a skills competition that will be open to middle school students,” Marsh said. “A concession stand will be available and people can just hang out.”