Throughout the year at ICHS, many fundraisers are set up for both the school and charities. While these events are effective, they are not necessarily considered to be much fun for those involved, let alone entertaining. On March 16, that stereotype was disproved, as IC held its first annual dodgeball tournament, cleverly named “Dodging for Dollars.”

Two weeks prior to game day, students could sign up on teams of six players with a minimum of two boys or two girls per team. Each player was required to pay $5 as an entry fee, and the proceeds went to the winning charity. The designated charity would be decided by the winning team, as each team had to choose what cause it would be playing for during registration week.

The tournament began promptly at 4 p.m. Teams had been preparing for about a half an hour prior to the first whistle by going over game strategies and practicing throwing techniques.

Considering that it was the inaugural year, the tournament started off in a state of what can be considered organized chaos, as the entire event was run by the student council members trying to control 17 teams of high school students. Actually, one of the teams was compiled of faculty members, which made for some interesting matches. At some points, it seemed that students were seeking revenge for some unforgotten detentions by whipping dodgeballs with no mercy.

After a few matches, the bracket may have thinned out, but the stands were filling with spectators waiting to see the outcome of the tournament. Elimination rules were as follows: a team is only eliminated after two losses, and if an undefeated team reaches the championship, the challengers must defeat them twice to win. In the end, the winning team was the Leprechauns, a team of three sophomores, two juniors, and one senior; the winning charity was the Make a Wish Foundation.

Raising around $400, the event was a complete success, and it will be an annual tradition at ICHS. Generally, the feedback was very positive, so the future of dodgeball looks bright. To top off the induction of this tradition, the school will be displaying a plaque showing the winning team and charity every year.