Intramurals
It's an intramural day, and the cafeteria empties out quickly. Today a freshman homeroom faces a sophomore homeroom in co-ed pickleball, played on a badminton court with wooden paddles. Fellow homeroom students line the courts to cheer, laugh, and groan and groups of students congregate on the bleachers. Others in the hall run to look in the door when the sound from the gym escalates-what's happening?
The administration and school board at Pella Christian recognize the importance of "joyful play" and have made time in a full schedule for students to engage in that activity. "Intramurals emphasize the participation rather than the outcome," said Intramural Director John Evenhouse. "We keep score and compete, because games involve that, but fun and fellowship are the main goals." Students agree, as approximately 75 percent of the students participate in some way during the year. They keep close tabs on team progress posted on a bulletin board in the hall, and a regular column in the school paper reports the latest highlights and standings.
Points are awarded to homerooms for first through fourth places in all activities. At the end of the year the name of the winning homeroom is engraved on a plaque, and recognition is given at the awards assembly. In addition, one senior boy and one senior girl receive a memorial scholarship based on participation and positive attitude shown during their four years of intramurals.
Intramural guidelines state:
- Everyone who wants to play, plays.
- Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
- Proper spectating is important.
Intramural games opportunities:
- Women's Volleyball
- Co-ed Volleyball
- Co-ed Softball
- Men's Ultimate Frisbee
- Co-ed Pickleball
- Men's Basketball
- Women's Badminton Doubles
- Chess
- Checkers
- Women's 3-point shooting
- Men's 3-point shooting