IN Fox Chapel Area Spring 2018 | Page 19

Special Education Facilitator Michele Fischer and Jack Aducci completed online training in order to qualify as referees. They attend team practices and officiate at matches. Each member of the team rolls a ball, and the object of the game is to land the ball closest to the pallino, a target on the bocce court. The team whose bocce ball is closest to the target is “in,” and the opposing team is “out.” At the end of each round, the “in” team scores a point for every ball that is closer to the target than any of their opponent’s balls. In the first match of the afternoon, it seemed as though the Shaler Area Titans were going to dominate. Then the Foxes came from behind in the final minutes to tie the match. The match went into overtime, but the Foxes couldn’t hold on, and Shaler Area won. Between matches, the high school cheerleading squad performed cheers to help build the crowd’s enthusiasm. Once again in the second match, Shaler Area led, but this time the Foxes came from behind, tied, and then defeated their opponent. Senior Arky Hagan and freshman Jack Nury, both members of Best Buddies, were the announcers who provided the play-by-play commentary for the home bocce matches. “I just wanted to help out,” Jack said. “I thought it was great.” An officer of Best Buddies, Arky agreed, saying, “I thought it was really fun!” Members of the Fox Chapel Area High School Indoor Bocce Team include: seniors Brooke Hagmaier, Lainey Kasian, Alexander Miles, and Rachel Miles; juniors Kate Feczko, Sabrina McQuarrie, Jasmine Rychorcewicz, Lexie Schutzman, Carly Shelestak, and Zachary Yonas; sophomore Claudia DeMartino; and freshmen Benny Friedman, Crispin Galyardt, Paul Ortiz, Elijah Rynkiewicz, and Emma Wecht. In addition to Mrs. Hopper, the Foxes’ coaches include the district’s Transition Facilitator Stacie Dojonovic, Ed.D., and Fox Chapel Area High School Program Principal John McGee, Ph.D. The Foxes bocce team played a second match against Avonworth High School later in February and participated in the countywide match on March 7. Winners from the countywide matches will participate in the state finals to be held in Hershey. The high school cheerleading squad helped build enthusiasm and support during the Foxes bocce tournament. Student announcers provided the play-by-play for the enthusiastic crowd during the match. FOX CHAPEL AREA ❘ SPRING 2018 17