Howick Elementary organized the 32nd annual charity basketball tournament at Chateauguay Valley Regional High School on March 27.
Schools could enter teams in either a competitive or recreational tournament, and all the teams played at least four games. There were four teams in the competitive division, and six teams in the recreational division.
“It was exciting and fun,” said one Grade 6 student at Howick Elementary. “The point of the tournament was to have fun and learn sportsmanship,” said another Grade 6 student.
“I liked hanging out with friends and meeting people from other schools,” said a Grade 5 student.
All of the students played hard and had a blast, and in the process, they raised over $1,820 for the Ici Santé health co-op, which has an office in Howick.
The teachers at Howick voted on the charity to receive the profits from the tournament. Each school donates at least $30 per team to the event, but they often raise more to donate.
There was also a canteen during the tournament that collected over $1,410 towards the total.
“It was great,” said Amy Tolhurst, who is a board member with the co-op. “The basketball tournament is the kind of initiative that we need to get us through the dry periods,” she explained.
Furey Construction donated participation ribbons to each player, and medals were awarded to Howick, Hemmingford, and Gault for their placement in the tournament.
*This article was written by students in Grades 5 and 6 at Howick Elementary School as part of a partnership between the New Frontiers School Board and The Gleaner, with support from the federal government.