On October 2, 2024, the Class of 2025 held a volleyball tournament fundraiser to raise money for future events they will be holding. The event started at 6:00pm in the Morgan gymnasium. The entry price for spectators was $5. For the teams, they had to pay $100 to participate in the tournament. Teams of 8–10 students and staff competed for the gold. In this year’s tournament, there were 9 teams involved. The teams were formed under captains: Rowan Quinn (black /white shirts), Liliana Luciani (girls soccer), Christian Harris (white tanks), Josh Nobitz (prisoners), Alyssa Ruthstrom (girls volleyball), Wyatt Luke (camouflage), Hayden Darr (frat boy), Michael Fusco (boys soccer), and a faculty/ teachers team. The overall winner of the tournament was team camouflage, senior Wyatt Luke’s team. The team included seniors Mikey Ferraiolo, Gavin Baptista, Cinar Yucel, Eddy Ortiz, Connor Vollhardt, alumni Matt Lopez, sophomore Jack Henry Palazzo, and coached by senior Jason Mansfield.
This year’s tournament was full of competitive and exciting games. Sophomore Emma Teuner said, “I’m really enjoying spending time with my team (Girls Volleyball), we’re all really spirited.” Teuner continued, “We really just didn’t overthink it and played our own game and had a great time”. Senior, Alyssa Ruthstrom, happily replied, saying, “Honestly, it’s been so much fun playing in the tournament, very happy to be involved!”
The volleyball tournament was originally hosted in the fall of 2023 and now lives up to its legacy of fundraising. In the past year, the tournament has raised more and more money for the class of 2025. Senior Kierra Baker, class secretary, said, “Yes, this fundraiser does make a lot of money for the class of 2025, I believe we raised about $1,700 last year.” During the tournament outside the gymnasium, there were tables set up for concessions. The students helping sell concessions were Interact members. They sold pizza, snacks, and water/Gatorade. Student government volunteers, Alyssa Aiken and Kierra Baker, hosted a raffle to raise more money for the class of ‘25.
This event brought out a fun and competitive spirit in all participants. Senior Jason Mansfield was happy about the plans he made for his team. He said, “I think we’re getting gold, I mean there’s no other option for us, honestly. We’re camo, you can’t see us coming, you never know where we’re going to be. There’s no losing, losing is NOT an option”. Another comment from senior Josh Nobitz, “I haven’t smiled since we lost our last game, I’m not playing around anymore”.
The turnout for this year’s fundraiser was very successful. Mrs. Rizzo mentioned that she was thrilled to see more spectators come to the tournament. Overall, the fundraiser brings in an astonishing amount of money for the Class of 2025, and they are happy to leave their volleyball tournament legacy at Morgan.
