Each year, Elmira High School provides an opportunity for the seniors to raise money for their grad night celebration through the Rough ‘n’ Tough boys volleyball competition.
Rough ‘n’ Tough has been a popular competition between the senior and junior class each year, where the winner of the match earns the opportunity to take on the staff of EHS.
Rough ‘n’ Tough isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Spectators can donate money to grad night in exchange for benefits to different teams.
EHS secretary Tammy Eustler, a volunteer organizer for the event and grad night, announced there may be a twist on points this year.
“We are working on either having a set time in which points can be bought, or we might have some fun obstacles for a player or the whole team that can be bid on and used during the student vs. staff game,” she told Falcon News.
There will also be a dessert auction with all proceeds going towards grad night. If student families want to help out by donating an item, it must have a full description of the ingredient list and be dropped off at EHS the day of the event.
Desserts and silent auction winners will be announced between each game.
The junior team is being coached by Kourtney Hecker and Caydence Farrar, and their team will include: Wyatt Frome, Ryan Pew, TyRay Chacon, Ali Garza, Caleb Breding, Kaeden Garcia, Dallas Mark, Easy Armstrong, Kharsin Vanhtha, Kaiden Carter, Samuel Robertson, Jake VanDamme and Michael Gomez.
Chacon believes it’s their year to defeat the historically unbeatable senior class.
“I feel like it is going to be a close game,” he said, “but the juniors will pull through in the end.”
Espinoza is looking forward to the experience.
“I think it will be fun and a good event to participate in,” he said.
The senior team is being coached by Jayden Breaux, Josey Robbins and Hannah Humphrey. Most of the senior team are returning players, including: Owen Booth, Gabriel Galaviz, Kyler Colwell, Christian Keagy, Kainoa Harwood, Jacob Bradley, Dylan Carney, Evan Booth, Jesus Coronado-Valle, Garrett Summers and JT Myers. They are joined by new players Keelan Hecker, Zane Clemmer and Haiden Boggs.
Colwell believes it is a good event for the senior class.
“I think it’s a good and fun way to raise money for grad night,” he said. “Not only the players, but the crowd always tends to enjoy it.”
Clemmer is more than ready to put the juniors in their place and show them who’s boss.
“I am excited to destroy the juniors and send them home crying,” the senior told Falcon News.
Whichever grade emerges victorious will then take on the staff team, consisting of captain Sarah Wartenbee, Chris Doscher, Tessa Slager, Brooke Raph, Heather Correa, DesiRae Wright-Rendon, Mikaylah Hammontree, Court Wirth, Shannon Hart, Forrest Cooper, Rob Lee, Jeff McCourtney and Jeannie Core.
The game will be refereed by athletic director and former volleyball coach Emmy Erwin.
Lee looks forward to the historically fun event.
“Besides being a helpful fundraiser for the senior grad night party,” the PE teacher told Falcon News, “it is one of the only opportunities for students and staff to directly compete against each other, which usually provides for some solid entertainment to say the least.”
He asks for some student support for the staff, especially from the younger classes.
“I encourage ninth- and 10th-grade students to come support the staff as we attempt to take down the almighty upperclassmen!” Lee said.
The Rough ‘n’ Tough entrance fee will be $5 per person and ASB stickers are not valid for free admission. There will also be a family discount for two adults and up to five children for $20.
The game will take place in the main gym at EHS this Friday at 5:30 p.m.
