By Lisi Burciaga and Karen Rosenberg, Feature Editor and Online Feature Editor
// Staff members from all four high schools in the Acalanes Union High School District (AUHSD), Las Lomas, Miramonte, Campolindo, and Acalanes, came together to play in a series of heated basketball games on Wednesday, May 24.
Acalanes hosted the event in the gym and student spectators came to cheer on their respective teams.
“I chose to come out today because I thought it would be a lot of fun to watch a bunch of our teachers play sports,” Las Lomas freshman Nicky Ciotola said.
Acalanes Leadership teacher Katherine Walton and Miramonte Leadership teacher Jamie Mather co-piloted the event.
“Mr. Mather, the leadership teacher at Miramonte, and I were at a conference when we were talking to another district who said they do this event. Then we emailed all four leadership teachers and set a date and made it happen,” Walton said.
To kick off round one, the Acalanes Dons took the first victory of the day in a match against Miramonte.
The Campolindo Cougars faced the Las Lomas Knights and took the win in the second game of the tournament.
In the loser’s bracket, Campolindo beat Miramonte. Las Lomas became the champions of the tournament when they beat Acalanes 17-13 in the finals.
“It feels great to win,” Las Lomas teacher Erika Fisher said.
According to Walton, the leadership classes have hopes to expand the purpose of the event in years to come.
“We’d eventually like to turn it into a fundraiser where we charge for everyone to come in and then donate it to a local non-profit,” Walton said.
Walton also hopes to see more student participation in the future.
“I’m hopeful that as we do it year and year, students will get more into it as they know which teachers are playing and can sense the competitiveness,” Walton said.
Many students who were in attendance enjoyed the event.
“It’s cool to see the staff from all four schools in the district compete,” Acalanes junior Samantha Darin said.
Many of those who participated in the game feel that it was a great way to represent their respective school outside of the classroom.
“Seeing another side of people that you don’t normally see is great. In school you see people only as a teacher and then here you see them in another light and it’s kind of cool,” Acalanes guidance counselor Marissa Meadows said.
Acalanes english teacher Will Benham-Baker expressed ideas similar to Meadows.
“I always like opportunities to represent for Acalanes. I think this is a great way for students to see their teachers in a different light, for teachers to bond together with a little friendly competition, and for the district to come together,” Acalanes english teacher Will Benham-Baker said.