Fun and Games Night 2011

15 September 2011Taryn O

This past Wednesday, masses of new students, as well as their orientation assistants, showed their true colours at one of the most exciting events of the year, Fun and Games Night. Decked out in red, orange, blue, and green the festivities (and the competition) began.

The night kicked off with various displays of house pride such as the mascots ‘strutting their stuff’, which included a large Whittall bull’s head and a few gymnastic tricks. Soon enough, the Privett boys in blue (accompanied by Ian J on guitar) were enthusiastically singing their house cheer, followed by the ‘horn of the unicorn’ being unleashed by Ellis to snag a first place finish in that event. As the new students and veterans alike were either elated or slightly dispirited by this beginning, a ferocious competition began to unfold.

Musical chairs was as intense as it has ever been, as sprinting teenagers searched desperately for a seat. Mr. Rodrigues then found a way to break the competitive tension by using two assistants and the little known game of Hucklebuckle. This is a game of rapid contact and intense concentration: when a phrase beginning with ‘Hucklebuckle’, and ending with a body part (such as a right elbow or a knee), is called, two participants must rush forward and join these limbs together. The school newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Warner, were called upon to be exemplars, enacting ‘Hucklebuckle lips’ as the gym burst into applause congratulating our recently married couple.

The competitive spirits then returned, and after several disappointing losses the red bulls of Whittall rose up and slid into a first place finish in the Ukrainian skiing event. The first thrilling win was followed by a second and a third, and although the red corner finished 4th overall, it was shown that they are not to be underestimated: these comeback kids proved themselves.

In the end, it was the Ellis House green machine that pulled through and commenced the year with a win, continuing their streak from ’10-‘11. Some would say a win on Fun and Games Night is a sign that the house will prevail in securing the coveted trophy (that would make two years in a row for Ellis), while others argue that it is just a night of hijinks designed to integrate our newest arrivals.

Although Fun and Games Night does not count in the interhouse competition, perhaps that old myth contains some truth, but judging by the spirit exhibited on Wednesday night, the battle for the interhouse trophy will go on, taking no prisoners. The houses this year have heart, which is worth much more than a win, and in twenty years when the winner of the interhouse competition is forgotten, the memory of the house pride that resulted in many lost voices will live on. Fun and Games Night finished as it was meant to be: a bonding session within houses, not to win, but to enjoy the games.

Where Students Choose To Be