The West Feliciana Education Foundation will host the fourth annual Dodgeball Challenge this fall, a multi-team tournament in which residents compete for top bragging rights in two categories: "hardballs" and "goofballs." The tournament takes place on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at the West Feliciana Sports Park.
The Dodgeball Challenge has grown significantly since the West Feliciana Education Foundation first hosted it in 2015. Proceeds have enabled the all-volunteer foundation to issue more than $50,000 in school-based grants to the four public schools that serve the parish: Bains Lower Elementary, Bains Elementary, West Feliciana Middle and West Feliciana High School. Grants have included classroom equipment purchases such as virtual reality glasses and items that enhance critical thinking and STEM learning. They’ve also been used to fund student travel to national academic competitions, physical improvements to classrooms and school grounds and teacher professional development.
“Our schools are the heart of our community,” says Gaye Landry, broker and owner of Landry Team Real Estate and president of the West Feliciana Parish Chamber of Commerce. “They really are one of our parish’s greatest assets.”
Almost all children in the parish grow up attending parish public schools. Unlike neighboring parishes, where families frequently opt out of the public school system for private or parochial schools, West Feliciana has nurtured a group of schools that draw residents of all backgrounds, ethnicities, income levels and life experiences. The West Feliciana Parish School System has consistently earned an A-rating from the Louisiana Department of Education.
“What you see here in West Feliciana Parish is that educational opportunities are equal for all children because everyone attends the same four schools from the time they enter school to the time they graduate,” says Landry. “That makes for a unified community where residents build lifelong relationships.”
Maintaining a school system that can recruit talented instructors and give students great academic opportunities is a continuing priority for the community. It’s one of the reasons why teams enthusiastically sign up for the annual Dodgeball challenge, says Landry.
“We’re very protective of our community and its wonderful assets,” says Landry.
Landry says it also doesn’t hurt that the tournament is an excuse for residents to celebrate, be silly and have fun.
“With all those sweatbands, and crazy team names, it’s a little zany,” says Landry. “But that’s who we are.”
Team registration is open until September 15, 2018. For more information, please visit www.wearewestfel.org.
