1 minute read
The dawning of table tennis
abbyMILLS business manager
Formally called table tennis, ping pong is a universal activity played around the world. The sport can be played casually with friends or competitively in tournaments. All one needs is a paddle, table, and an opponent, so why not play at Countryside wondered Michael Butler.
Advertisement
Butler is the founder and president of the newly started “Ping Pong” club in the Cougar halls. The goal of the club is to provide students with the opportunity to make new friends and be involved in an activity after school.
“It all started when my friend Joey Poelker and I were playing ping pong. I made a joke about it in Mrs. Brunson’s class, and she informed me we could actually start a club,” said Butler.
After holding one meeting, over 30 students were interested in joining the club. There was a second meeting on November 13 to fill the officer positions. All members are required to pay a five dollar fee. This money will contribute towards more equipment and tables to allow more students to play.
The club plans to meet twice a month, on a Monday and Wednesday after school. They plan to switch between the days so there is more opportunity for students to be involved.
During the day, a lot of people will come to talk to him about problems they may be having instead of going to their counselors.
“For some reason they find it easier to talk to me instead of their counselor.”
When kids come and talk to him, he treats them like adults and tells them how it is; he never lies to them.
Officer Cavaliere said the hardest part of his job is learning about the bad things that happen to kids at home or what they go through on the streets. He said there are a lot of funny things that happen at his job.
“But that’s what keeps it interesting.”
He never thinks about changing schools he says this is the school he cares to be in. If he ever did leave he would go back to street patrol because he sometimes misses it.
Officer Cavaliere does not know when he’s going to retire he just knows that he’s got a few years left in him. When John finally does retire he is going to spend more time with his wife fishing and golfing.
