GHS News

Senior Brianna Pollard looks alive as she strives to avoid incoming dodgeballs.

NJROTC Hosts Successful, Valentine-Themed Dodgeball Tournament

This year's tournament garners more people than in previous years

Reporter Colleen Brownley

On February 28th, 2019, Gloucester High’s NJROTC program held an annual Valentine-themed “Love Hurts” dodgeball tournament to raise money and awareness for their excellent program.

The event had about six teams with six to eight people on each one. Sophomore Kiley Pryor, a volunteer at the event, was “surprised by how many people that weren’t in ROTC participated.” Although the event was put on by NJROTC students, any student was welcome to start or join a team.

The tournament was mostly planned and put on by Master Chief Cameron Carpenter. But, on the actual day of the event some of the leadership switched to Executive Officer Justin Petersen. This was because of Carpenter becoming a team captain and participating in the event. Other than them, students mostly helped to plan and coordinate the tournament, with the tournament being student-run. Carpenter’s team also won the tournament, winning them the prize of Chick Fil A gift cards.

There was “a lot of competitiveness” between the teams according to Pryor. “There were definitely some jokes” she states, but it was mostly between people who were in NJROTC and had participated last year. The event was definitely enjoyable, everyone who participated expressed that they had fun.

The event lasted for about two hours, and NJROTC sold refreshments to further their fundraising. The fundraiser was mostly to receive money to fund the military ball, a dance held annually for NJROTC students. Originally the cost was 20 dollars per team, but after some consideration it was changed to five dollars per person. This was a good decision, as NJROTC made considerably more money than they would have if they had stuck with the original plan.

Overall the event was seen as an amusing way to make money. If students didn’t participate in the tournament this year, it would be wise to give it a try the next, Chick Fil A gift cards are at stake.