Black Rock Middle School recently hosted its third annual dodgeball tournament, as the Royals rallied to raise more than $3,000 in support of the American Heart Association (AHA).

The fundraising effort kicked off before Thanksgiving with an assembly featuring an AHA representative who discussed the organization’s mission and the benefits of a heart-healthy lifestyle before leading students in a series of physical activities designed to get their hearts pumping.

Since its inception, the tournament has been planned, organized and run by students in Scott Kleiman and Jess Levin’s sixth-grade leadership classes. This year, BRMS expanded the initiative by adding an after-school component managed by students in the eighth-grade leadership classes. The project serves as a real-world application of the leadership skills students develop throughout the quarter.

Students began by identifying the key tasks necessary to run a schoolwide event, including communicating important details, adjusting daily schedules, and coordinating day-of logistics. They encouraged their peers to participate in the fundraiser through marketing campaigns, helped manage concession sales and took on a variety of front-facing and behind-the-scenes roles throughout the tournament. Successfully managing the event required students to demonstrate problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills—all essential components of quality leadership.

An event of this scale would not have been possible without the support of BRMS staff and administration. Members of the physical education department, along with Kelly Peterson, Beth Aikens, and Christy Sfida, played integral roles in ensuring the tournament was safe, inclusive and enjoyable for all students!