Every Friday, the freshman P.E. classes are forced into a match of dodgeball against the Weights class. Some wonder how long it will take for something to happen that will force the school to put an end to this painful tradition.

This thought has entered many freshmen’s minds at one point or another. However, not everyone is opposed to the cross-class dodgeball game, leaving freshmen divided.

Freshman Brydon Hopkins explained whether or not he believed it’s time to call it quits on the dodgeball matches against the weights class.

“No, because dodgeball is a fun game that lots of people can play, and the freshmen have a lot more players against the weights class,” Hopkins said. “My brother’s on the other team, so it’s really fun to try and get him out.”

He continued by sharing that the freshmen tend to win against the weights class more than they end up losing. Hopkins also added on that it’s possible to get hurt, but the injury would be no more extreme than if the freshmen were playing against each other.

“It’s possible if somebody gets hit hard enough, they can get pretty hurt, but the most of what’s happened is a bloody nose,” said Hopkins.

He concluded with his opinion on the biggest gain from the game.

“Bragging rights,” finished Hopkins.

Fellow freshman Alexander Hartman added his own opinion into the mix.

“I do not think that dodgeball against the Weights class should be banned,” Hartman said. “There are benefits to the freshman vs. Weights class dodgeball games. For instance, it makes it so more freshman participate in P.E., and it is very fun for both classes.”

He continued with explaining the reason why dodgeball is one of his favorite P.E. activities.

“I enjoy [the game] because [the Weights class] are slightly better than [the] freshmen, and that makes it fun, since winning doesn’t come easily,” explained Hartman. “If you do win, it becomes an accomplishment rather than an indifferent experience.”

Hartman also didn’t hesitate to make it known where he stands on the danger level of the game.

“I do not believe that playing against the Weights class is dangerous,” said Hartman. “The reason being that the balls used to play the game are made of compressible, soft foam.”

He finished up by adding on a message about the complaints against the dodgeball games.

“I would like to add that the people complaining about these games are the ones who aren’t even participating; these people usually tend to stand against the back wall and talk with their friends,” Hartman concluded.

As shown, a large majority of freshman students thoroughly enjoy being pitted against the Weights class, because they enjoy the challenge that it brings. In some ways, it’s even a rite of passage for the freshmen before they move up into their second year of high school. Still, not everyone agrees that the game should stay, and some would rather choose something else to spend the period playing.

Stefani Drayton, a fellow freshman, shared whether or not she enjoys the game.

“Not really, I’d rather play volleyball or something,” Drayton said. “… I just try to pass P.E.”

Freshman Maya Cruz thought about both sides, and called for a solution that wouldn’t get rid of the game altogether.

“I believe that it can potentially be dangerous, since, during dodgeball, some of the students from the Weights class have a lot of strength, and throw the ball a little vigorously, and could harm others with the great amount of force coming from the ball,” said Cruz. “I don’t think it should be banned, but I think it could be played more carefully.”

Member of the Weights class, such as sophomore Amber Bell shared her view on the matter.

“I think that it is always a pretty fair game,” Bell said. “The games are pretty level, and the freshmen win about as much as the weights class, if not more. Sometimes, I think that everyone gets a little too involved, and I think that the trash talking can get out of hand, but, besides that, it seems fun for both sides.”

PE teacher Jeffrey Bickmore shared that students don’t have to play, if they don’t want to.

“Yeah, if students don’t want to play, they can sit out,” explained Bickmore. “A lot of kids who really aren’t that interested usually stand in the back, and they don’t get the ball too much, and that’s not a problem. We just do it on Fridays, as something different, and so the Weights class has something to do. We don’t always play against each other, sometimes we mix it up. Coach Savoie likes to be able to bring his class in to do dodgeball and because there’s no other facility available.”

Even though it may not be everyone’s favorite choice for a PE activity, just about everyone can agree that it’s better than the dreaded pacer test.