Bentley School wrapped up the year with an energetic slo-pitch game, marking a first for the school of approximately 430 students from kindergarten to Grade 12.
The event featured a friendly faceoff between graduates and teachers, an idea led by Tayler Button, who teaches science, drama and guitar at the school.
Button, who has been at Bentley School for three years, came up with the idea as a fun and meaningful way to spend the final days of the school year.
“Grad is such a special time, the end of the year is a special time, and because we're a K to 12 in a small town, we always felt we should have something that really pulls us all together,” he said.
The graduates’ team was made up primarily of students heading off to college or careers and to round out the roster, a few Grade 11 students and, as Button puts it, “Grade 10s who just were chomping at the bit to play” were invited to join.
The teachers’ team held its own, says Button.
“The athletic skill of some of our staff here, we have some real ball players on our teaching staff.”
The grads ultimately took the win with a score of 19–11, but Button says he's already planning for a teacher victory in the rematch.
“We already have a couple of practices slated for next year. We're maybe going to get some uniforms, really bring the team together because 19–11 is not a bad score, but I don’t want that gap getting any wider next year.”
The afternoon was also enjoyed by the rest of the school, along with community members, parents and seniors from the local seniors’ home.
“I thought it made for a very lovely day for us all to get together,” said Button. “Playing against the grads was fantastic, a great way to say goodbye and as long as I'm here, I would love to keep putting this on.”
As the school hangs up its bats and gloves and turns its attention to diplomas, there's more friendly competition to look forward to this winter with the Jocelyn Snow Winter Classic, a school-wide hockey game involving all divisions.
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