ATHOL — Monday night’s seniors versus faculty fundraising event proved two things. One, Athol faculty can still bring its A game on the court, dominating both girls and boys. Two, everyone had a fun time in the event’s return after taking a five-year hiatus.
“Oh yeah. That’s a chance of a lifetime (to face the faculty),” said senior James Laford about the event. “It was fun to play and it was an amazing experience. We all had a good time, we all had a blast, so it was fun.”
The men faculty defeated the seniors, 48-35, while the women faculty defeated the seniors, 67-65, thanks to a little bonus in the rules, which added to the overall fun dynamic of the event. Down 65-20 and within the final two minutes of the game, the girls were given an opportunity at a 40-point shot from the 3-point line. Athol varsity basketball sharpshooter Destiny Wrigley nailed the shot to tie the game.
The shot was one of many laugh-out-loud moments. Junior varsity girls basketball coach Kiley Cleveland nailed a 3 from way downtown, only a few feet inside half court. Varsity basketball coach Kelly Kaczmarczyk reigned over some of her players, grabbing in rebounds and sinking shots over everyone. Faculty member Pete Whitmore dove for loose balls and also completed an alley-oop from fellow faculty member Josh Talbot. It also saw the likes of head football coach Bill LaRose manning the courts with a polo and shorts and senior class advisor Donna Lajoie taking on her daughter Hannah Lajoie.
“It’s a good way for the kids and the teachers to interact outside of the classroom,” said Donna Lajoie, who orchestrated the fundraiser. “We’ve really been trying to change the school culture, trying to make things more positive and I think this is a step in that direction of what we’ve been trying to do here this year.
“Anytime you can interact with the students outside the classroom as well, it’s very very positive,” added Lajoie.
The money raised from the event funds the senior class’ after prom party. The party is an annual event that starts at 11 p.m. following the prom and runs until 4 p.m. the next day. The senior class raises money to put on the event and this year’s class was tasked with raising $2,300 to pay for the entertainment throughout the night. The funds raised by the basketball game contributed toward that $2,300 needed.
“This isn’t a huge fundraiser, we don’t make a ton off of it,” said Lajoie. “It’s more about having fun.”
Athol High School use to hold the event each year until interest dropped off, with the event eventually going to the wayside. This year’s senior class asked to bring the event back and Lajoie, as the class advisor, was all for it.
“I said ‘I’m class advisor and my daughter is a senior as well,’ so I said ‘sure, why not, it’s easy enough,’” said Lajoie. “The kids asked and it was fun (in the past).”
Lajoie sent out an email to all faculty members in the district, including administrators, teachers and office attendants, asking if they wanted to play in the event. Students signed up to play in similar fashion.
Nineteen seniors participated in the event, while 15 faculty members took part.
Seniors included Amber Mahony, Paige Truehart, Lauren Mack, Megan Mahan, Hannah Lajoie, Payton Parker, Kaitlyn Baptista, Destiny Wrigley, Crista Jillson, Julia Ramos, Amanda Fuller, Hayden Herk, Colby Mason, Justin Blake, Anthony Potenti, Robby Nelson, Kris Selanis, Joey Lehtomaki and Justin Wallace.
Faculty members include Donna Lajoie, Kiley Cleveland, Kelly Kaczmarczyk, Sam Parker, Elaine Gauthier, Sharon Chauvette, Eileen St. Jean, Doug Kaczmarczyk, John Berlinger, Josh Talbot, Aric Davis, Justin Cascone, Corey Chauvette, Pete Whitmore and Bill LaRose. Athletic director and assistant principal Dave King announced the event.