Tuesday evening was not a usual weekday night at Choate Rosemary Hall. Following the special program sponsored by ADL, forms departed immediately to prepare for their own class gatherings: third formers played dodgeball in the Johnson Athletic Center, fifth formers threw a dance in the SAC, and sixth formers swam the night away at the Larry Hart Pool.
Fourth formers, however, trekked to the upper campus MacGuire Gym, just behind the Paul Mellon Arts Center. A long journey from several houses on campus, many jogged there covered in face paint of all colors, shouting in anticipation of the game about to unravel, for the sophomores were elated to play dodgeball.
The dodging commenced with a game of boys against girls refereed by class President Will Laverack ’10. Fourth form deans Mr. Berghoff and Ms. Dean observed the class of 2011 threw fast balls at each other for about ten minutes. Late in the game, the girls seemed to devise a strategy of collecting all the balls and refusing to throw them. The resulting lack of motivation ended the game, despite the boys’ attempts at provoking the girls. However short, the game was only the night’s first.
Next, Student Council Rep. Katherine Morales divided the grade in two teams, split up by dorm: North House, South House, Wheeler, and Logan Munroe on one side with Pitman, Spencer, Atwater, McCook, and Day Students on the other. After the announcement was called, however, many students flocked to whichever side they pleased. Nonetheless, the game started.
President Laverack blew the whistle and balls flew. First Team started off strong. A brave front line consisting of Clark Schneider, Justin Choi, and Ian Baker struck many Second-Teamers out of the game with a daring catching strategy. Isaac Cohen and Rand Monaghan threw a fantastic game, almost never missing a target. Max Heering’s great height was a detriment to his attempts at sneaking up with a ball from the back. The man took some “brutal hits” as Buck Goggin reported later.
All the same, Second Team followed through with a strong defense controlled by day students Nick Ramsey, Bo Peard, Mike Hoeksema, and Luke Marrinan in his famous red lacrosse helmet. Also, Goggin, and Zach Manasia with day student Riley Cahill chucked the red rubber balls at enormous speed, stunning several First Team players out. Christine Valente, sporting a lime green Power Ranger outfit, cape included, threw the most daring game of all girls in the gymnasium.
An enormous amount of students throwing and dodging, the game lacked predictability of an end. With such a close game at 10:00, with only thirty minutes until check-in, Morales called the game, declaring Team Two the winner because no one the team was jailed at that point. Mr. Berghoff and Ms. Dean then sent the fourth form back to the dorms to check in with orange Cream-sicles..
It was truly a stunning night that included as many astonishing plays as it did festive clothes. A valiant effort by all, the fourth form truly remembered the five D’s of dodgeball: dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge.
