On March 28, Kennard-Dale High School had a half day to commemorate the start of the very short Spring Break. During this half day, the school’s Aevidum Club hosted a basketball tournament, where students from every class could sign up to represent their grade in a single elimination series of basketball games. The final round of these games would result in the winning grade’s team facing off against a select group of teachers to figure out who the true basketball champions are.
A majority of the students that signed up ended up being students that already play basketball. However, the event was meant to bring students together – not just to watch a basketball game.
“The point is to have fun,” said English teacher and staff basketball team member Grant Leonard, “and the more diversity there is from the student body, the more included and represented everyone feels.”
This perfectly aligns to Aevidum’s goal for the basketball tournament. Aevidum started as a club in Lancaster County to encourage students and staff to look out for one another, as Aevidum means “I’ve got your back.” The club is now known across the nation, and school social worker Jodi Smith advises Kennard-Dale’s own club. Their mission is to create a culture and environment that is conducive to positive mental health.
“Students and teachers seemed to be enjoying students and teachers locked in friendly competition with one another,” said Leonard. “It helps build rapport between the student body and the faculty.”
The first round consisted of the freshman team versus the sophomore team. In a shocking turn of events, the freshman team ended up beating the sophomores. The next round then took place between the freshman team and the junior team which was coached by science teacher, Kyle Hardenbrook.
With many basketball prodigies on the court, and to no one’s surprise, the juniors were victorious, gaining them access to the next round. The juniors faced off against the senior team, led by student coaches Aiden Hardester and Kyle Coomes. It could have been anyone’s game, but the seniors came out on top.
This decided the final showdown between the senior team and the team of teachers. Lots of enthusiasm filled the crowd, as students were excited to watch their favorite teachers face off against the students.
The teachers entered the gym with special introductions and a chance to shine in the spotlight. The team consisted of: Drew Scott, Laura Gilkey, Chris Grube, Eric Updegrove, Susan Benna, Grant Leonard, Mike Twigg, Lisa Schreiber, and Joe Hasson. In a shocking upset, the team of seniors ended up taking the win and claiming victory of Kennard-Dale’s student versus teacher basketball tournament with a final score of 23 to 22.
It wasn’t a surprise to the staff, though, as Leonard explains, “I get a year older every time something like this happens, and the student body is always the same age. It makes the knees ache a bit more each year.”
