senior class hosts badminton tournament

By: Kevin Biggiani

The music was loud in the gymnasium on the evening of April 12, 2022, as seven doubles teams battled it out in the Senior Class Badminton Tournament at Oyster Bay High School.  In the end, Elisia Gallo and Bridget Zahradnik’s undefeated team emerged victorious.

With the assistance of the senior class faculty advisors, Ms. Wink and Mr. Caputo, the student council organized a badminton tournament as a fundraiser for the senior class. The competition was fierce and competitive, as players displayed their badminton shot making skills through smashes, drop shots, and powerful serves. The tournament was played in a round robin double elimination format with the last two surviving teams playing for the championship.

During the tournament, Oyster Bay High School Principal, Ms. Lasher, and World Language Department Supervisor, Ms. Greene, made an appearance and joined forces as a team.  They showed no mercy when exhibiting their athleticism and badminton skills, playing a few cameo rounds in the tournament to the excitement of all. Vice Principal, Ms. Gibbons, was also on hand to lend her support to the event.

The final four teams left standing in the semi-final were Elisia Gallo/Bridget Zahradnik, Elias Gomez/Meghan Cox, Jeremy Sarmiento-Frias/Carley Doyle, and Luke McNamara/Kevin Biggiani. The team of McNamara/Biggiani took on the team of Gallo/Zahradnik in the final round.  After a very hard fought battle, the ladies prevailed, winning both the championship and bragging rights. Congratulations to Elisia and Bridget!    

​At the conclusion of the tournament, senior faculty advisor, Ms. Wink, reflected on her time this year as the advisor to the graduating class of 2022, stating, “I am proud to be an advisor of the Class of 2022.  Since they were freshmen, the Class of 2022 has hosted fundraising events that have brought the school together.  Although the student council has done a great job fundraising for their class, you cannot put a price tag on an experience that gets the student body together outside of the school day.” Speaking on the success of the Senior Badminton Tournament, Ms. Wink indicated, “the students enjoyed being with their peers in a fun and competitive setting.” Faculty advisor, Mr. Caputo, added, “Seeing kids smile, laughing, and having fun....events like the badminton tournament reminds me of the ‘old normal,’ and we must make sure we realize how important these events are to building school spirit.”