201810.17
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Hundreds compete in community dodgeball tourney to raise funds for Laguna Beach schools

by in News

LAGUNA BEACH — More than 400 players on 55 teams competed in the ninth annual community-wide dodgeball tournament on Wednesday, Oct. 17.

The popular event — which included students from the four local schools, Laguna Beach lifeguards, local business people, and parent and teacher groups — is held by SchoolPower, a parent volunteer-based, nonprofit education foundation that raises money for Laguna Beach public schools.

  • Andre Nunn, 13, with the Lil’ Slunks team prepares to launch his ball at the opposing team during the 9th annual Laguna Beach dodgeball tournament at Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The event, sponsored by Schoolpower Laguna Beach Education Foundation, was divided into three divisions, 4th and 5th grade, 6th-8th grade and high school and adult. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Members of the Lil’ Slunks team celebrates after winning a match during the 9th annual Laguna Beach dodgeball tournament at Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The event, sponsored by Schoolpower Laguna Beach Education Foundation, was divided into three divisions, 4th and 5th grade, 6th-8th grade and high school and adult. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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  • Leo Pardun,11, of the Gucci Gang team shows off his gold teeth during the 9th annual Laguna Beach dodgeball tournament at Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The event, sponsored by Schoolpower Laguna Beach Education Foundation, was divided into three divisions, 4th and 5th grade, 6th-8th grade and high school and adult. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Bill Brown, center, coach of the Lil’ Slunks team rallies his players for the next match during the 9th annual Laguna Beach dodgeball tournament at Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The event, sponsored by Schoolpower Laguna Beach Education Foundation, was divided into three divisions, 4th and 5th grade, 6th-8th grade and high school and adult. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Members of the Laguna Greeter Groms cheer on their team during the 9th annual Laguna Beach dodgeball tournament at Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. Pictured, from left, are Chase Williams, Flora Lessard, and Cate Alexander. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Spencer Anderson, 10,of the Catch Surf team throws the ball during the 9th annual Laguna Beach dodgeball tournament at Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The event, sponsored by Schoolpower Laguna Beach Education Foundation, was divided into three divisions, 4th and 5th grade, 6th-8th grade and high school and adult. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Members of the Lifeguard team rally outside the gym during the 9th annual Laguna Beach dodgeball tournament at Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The event, sponsored by Schoolpower Laguna Beach Education Foundation, was divided into three divisions, 4th and 5th grade, 6th-8th grade and high school and adult. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Andrew Tyson, left, and and Max Heins, both 10, of the Catch Surf team fire the dodgeballs at the opposing team during the 9th annual Laguna Beach dodgeball tournament at Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The event, sponsored by Schoolpower Laguna Beach Education Foundation, was divided into three divisions, 4th and 5th grade, 6th-8th grade and high school and adult. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Taj North,12, right, of the Disney Dodgers watches as a ball whizzes past him during the 9th annual Laguna Beach dodgeball tournament at Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The event, sponsored by Schoolpower Laguna Beach Education Foundation, was divided into three divisions, 4th and 5th grade, 6th-8th grade and high school and adult. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Parents and teams gather in the gym for the 9th annual Laguna Beach dodgeball tournament at Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The event, sponsored by Schoolpower Laguna Beach Education Foundation, was divided into three divisions, 4th and 5th grade, 6th-8th grade and high school and adult. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Ruby Samson, 11, left, and her dad and coach Jeremy Samson, right, of the Laguna Greeter Groms team questions a referees call during the 9th annual Laguna Beach dodgeball tournament at Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The event, sponsored by Schoolpower Laguna Beach Education Foundation, was divided into three divisions, 4th and 5th grade, 6th-8th grade and high school and adult. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

  • Dodgeball teams watch other matches during the 9th annual Laguna Beach dodgeball tournament at Laguna Beach High School in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, October 17, 2018. The event, sponsored by Schoolpower Laguna Beach Education Foundation, was divided into three divisions, 4th and 5th grade, 6th-8th grade and high school and adult. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)

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Last year’s tournament raised more then $14,000.

The raucous competition — held at the Laguna Beach High School gym — included six teams of fourth- and fifth-graders from El Morro Elementary and Top of the World Elementary schools; 28 teams from Thurston Middle School; and 11 adult teams, including two teams of students from Laguna Beach High School. Teams were made up of six to eight players.

Champions were crowned in three divisions, each team awarded $500 to go to the school program of their choice.

“We do a number of bigger fundraisers throughout the year. Dodgeball is one way people in the community can get to know SchoolPower,” said Sarah Durand, executive director of the foundation. Funds raised by SchoolPower have been used to support music and art classes in grades K-8 and STEM programs, among other initiatives.

In 2017, SchoolPower raised more than $760,000 for the four schools.

Dylan Williams, 11, from Top of the World, played on this year’s championship team in the elementary school division.

“We started screaming and celebrating,” he said after his team, named the Kooks, won the championship match. “We had a lot of good people.”

The team of eight, which included six boys and two girls, was made up of mostly athletes, he said.

“I play water polo and others on the team play football and baseball,” Dylan said. “You have to work as a team if you’re going to win.”

Laguna Beach lifeguard Capt. Kai Bond said it was important that his department participated in the community event.

“We always have a fun time and dodgeball is the perfect way to compete against other teams,” he said.