Thomas Ngo, a math teacher, drives through students’ defense in an attempt to make a basket. Photo by Ivy Duongby Ivy Duong, Staff Photographer; & Vivian Le Staff Cartoonist
After weeks of training, teachers are finally competing against their students in a basketball tournament to prove they have the skills to beat the younger generation.
Hoping to make this event an annual tradition, the sponsor, Chick-fil-A, continues hosting a basketball fundraiser to raise money for the Orangewood Foundation, an organization that dedicates itself towards foster and disadvantaged youths. The Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy has been planning the event for approximately three months and had previously hosted the event a year ago. This two year old club was able to raise $2,500 last year in donations towards the Orangewood Foundation.
“I kind of have a heart for foster kids,” said Jane Springer, a math teacher and Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy adviser, “I know they feel very unwanted and so we wanted to provide them with more resources because Orangewood really gives them a place to be and helps take care of them. So, we thought it was a great cause to fight for.”
Springer had sent out an email to all the teachers asking for their assistance in whatever way they are capable and many were willing to help. Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) staff will be volunteering in various ways including being players, scorekeepers and announcers. Teachers who will be participating in the actual game have been practicing once or twice a week for the last three or four weeks.
“Mr. Ngo is definitely a step ahead from the rest of us,” said Jim Diecidue, a Spanish teacher, “He just completed the LA marathon a couple of months ago and he can definitely run the court a lot more than the rest of us. He’s got a good touch. I think he practices more than the rest of us. I think, overall, the team looks pretty good, I think everyone’s pretty much ready to go and excited to play.”
“I’m not even worried about whether we are going to win,” said Jake Lee, a chemistry teacher, “I am very confident that we are going to win. We’ve got some really talented teachers and we’ve been practicing pretty good. We will win.”
Aside from winning, the FVHS staff are happy to be participating for a good cause and are excited to see their students in another environment that is not the classroom.
“I love seeing our students coming to the event and doing something that we can really enjoy together,” said Lee.
All in all, the teachers participating aim that this event will be a success.
“We’re hoping to raise a lot of money and it’s also gonna be a blast, the cow will be there and someone can win free Chick-fil-A for the year, so hopefully someone will make the half-court shot,” said Springer, “so [we’re excited] for many things.”
