By Emma Wood, Staff Writer
March 27, 2024
ROCKLAND- The teachers beat the students in the annual middle school Shamrock Classic basketball game on March 22.
This tradition faces eighth-grade boys and girls against middle and high school teachers, and it’s anyone’s guess who will win from year to year.
The gym was packed with fans and participants, including families, younger students, and teacher cheerleaders. The cost to get in and watch was $5.
Rogers Middle School principal Ms. Cheryl Schipper said, “It was a great outcome! The teachers won and money was raised by the PAC and everyone seemed to have a blast.”
The coaches for the girls and boys were two parents, Mrs. McDonagh and Mr. Garofalo.
In some years, the event is so popular with students that there has to be a lottery to be chosen to play.
Ms. Schipper said, “Different teachers and different students play each year so it is always changing. This year we had four [student] mascots, two at a time.”
Rockland High School business teacher Mr. Jared Lordi played this year as a staff member.
Mr. Lordi said, “I am playing this year! Unfortunately, the only other time I played [as an eighth grader] the students beat the teachers for the first time ever. When I was in middle school I remember getting kicked out of the Shamrock Classic as a fan because my friends and I painted ourselves green and took our shirts off. Ms. [Beth] Bohn was not amused. It took me three weeks to get all the paint off, too.”
High school history teacher Ms. Kara Penney did not participate in the Classic this year but she has previously.
Ms. Penney said, “I played in the Shamrock Classic when I was in 8th grade. It was a great memory for me because it was the day that I took my first photo with my now fiancé. We also played in the old gym before the reconstruction of the school and I loved the environment of the old gym.”
Mr. Matt Anzalone, a math teacher at Rockland High, had never played in the Shamrock Classic before but he participated this year.
Different from previous years, high school staff members participated in the Classic because the teachers were low on numbers.
Ms. Schipper said, “My strategy during the Classic was to pass the ball immediately.”
People enjoy going to watch their children play against their teachers. Additionally, it is funny for the students to see their teachers playing basketball.
Ms. Schipper said, “I think it is fun for the students to see their teachers and staff outside of their usual roles.”