Rivers Dodgeball Tournament: Raising Spirits, and Funds
In the MacDowell Athletics Center and Benson Gymnasium on Thursday, December 19, a bubbling energy is brewing. The annual dodgeball tournament, hotly anticipated by all, is open to anyone—students, and professional community members alike—no prior experience required. Comprised mainly of Upper School students, the activity, organized by the philanthropy-focused student club Rivers Givers, takes place between the end of classes before the winter break and the beginning of the Rivers Holiday Tournament.
Rules and signup are relatively simple—each team signs up, nominates a captain, and gathers enough members for a full team (eight). Teams are co-ed and take team spirit very seriously, from the costumes to the team names—from the Jingle Ballers to the Rizzlers to the Denominators (made up of professional community members)-—sporting everything from Santa suits to mustaches to money-themed outfits to pajamas for the perfect display of team unity.
Students also emcee the event, equipped with spirited holiday music to keep the moods high. This year, there were eight teams competing, March Madness style, on both sides of Benson Gymnasium for the chance to win the title of Dodgeball Champion 2024.
Aside from being a fun way to transition into the holiday spirit from the academic pressures of exams and studies, the dodgeball tournament also helps benefit the wider community, says Susanna Donahue, interim director of athletics, who for years has overseen the organization of the Rivers Holiday tournament. “It’s not only a fun community event but it’s also a fundraiser for Rivers Givers.”
Each of the eight seniors in Rivers Givers takes on a leadership role in leading a fundraiser, with the goal of raising $5000 by the end of the year to donate to local charitable organizations chosen by the students. Members of Rivers Givers visit the organizations and present the chosen community partners with a check at all-school assembly, which has become an annual tradition in the spring.
To that effect, to participate in dodgeball, each team raises $40 in total, in tandem with other efforts, such as the sale of holiday tournament t-shirts.
Yassine Talhaoui, director of enrollment management, fondly recalled the experience of the dodgeball tournament and the holiday tournament during one of his early visits to campus:
“I remember the great spirit and energy, at the time there were still midterm exams. I immediately felt a sense of energy on campus.”
And while dodgeball is just one part of the puzzle, it’s a memorable way to unite the school community in spirit to close out a momentous calendar year before the holiday break.
© 2021 The Rivers School. All Rights Reserved
Rivers admits academically qualified students and does not discriminate against students or families on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or ethnic or national origin in the administration of its educational programs, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, and other school-administered programs.