Gotta Catch 'Em All

Woo Young Chung

“Welcome to the 2016 StuCo event, PokéOlympics!” With a thunderous voice, the StuCo president, Andrew Kim (12), alerted the participants about the commencement of the event.

This event was composed of two themes, Pokémon and the Olympics. For weeks, StuCo members put their heads together and thoroughly organized this event. From creating promotional videos to decorating cardboard boxes, many hours were put into making this event one to remember. Even with many students missing the event due to the choir trip to Bangkok and the volleyball team playing a game, StuCo pulled off some exciting moments.

Various stations were set-up by StuCo members, and the goal was to collect as many gold medals as one could, similar to the Olympics.

Struggling to get a grasp, Jarrod Chang (12), Darby Kendrick (12), Hannah Burh (12), Christy Cho (12) and Peter Kim (11), managed to hold each other up on a minuscule surface area of the tarp that was folded in half—six times. The tarp game, managed by Chan Woong Won (11), explained the rules of the game with great detail and provided some good tips in order to succeed in this game. With that advice, many groups were able to accomplish five folds with ease, but it was Jarrod’s group that managed to get six folds, which is the current record. It was pure joy to watch dimples appearing on various faces, which eventually emerged into smiles.

The purpose of different station games? Earn the golden ticket, or seven gold medals, to enter the glorious final stage.

The final stage of the event, also the highlight of the event, was the face-off between Miss Grad and other competitors in dodgeball. Those that beat her were able to advance to the championship face-off. One of the biggest matches was when Miss Grad met Joseph Hsu (12), who won the first match, lost the second, and came back for a rematch. With Miss Grad fully analyzed, Joseph managed to read her movements and throws. His dodges could be described as art; it was phenomenal. Yet, Miss Grad stepped up her game, ending his progress from proceeding to the championship face off yet again.  

As the heat remained, Miss Grad was on a killing spree, until she met a tall white competitor with a pink hat and a name of Emmett Balzer (12). He was the warrior who was resolute to beat the gym possessor, Miss Grad. Out of all the devastators, Emmett becomes the gym champion, bringing back home a Pokeball trophy designed by Grace Moon (9).

“I was feeling down, but after this event, I’m feeling hyped now,” Jarrod Chang (12) expressed his opinion about the overall feeling of the event.

Personally, it was fun to watch different grades cooperating and assisting each other out to accomplish some challenging activities.