With a new year starting, the long-awaited rivalry event is getting closer and closer.
Students are starting to get anxious for the Battle for the Paddle.
Lakeland High School students dress all out in Green and Gold to compete against their rival school, Sandpoint High School. They lose their voices for days after. They spend weeks fundraising for this very moment.
This year, Battle for the Paddle is going through some rule changes in order to create a more balance playing field.
The biggest change that will be noticed is how points are given for fundraising. In previous years, a more elaborate equation was used, whereas this year, one point will be given for each $1000 raised.
The school who fundraises the most money will also receive an extra seven points overall.
Compared to previous years, LHS has managed to dominate in the fundraising category immensely, so this rule adjustment will hope to create more balance.
“We felt like this evened the playing field a little bit, but does mean that we have to work even harder this year to raise money and guarantee those extra seven points,” Allison Knoll, ASB adviser said. “Last year in the fundraising category, we received 171.71 points and they only earned 65.88.”
Knoll believes this extra challenge will make working towards the paddle that much more worth it. In order to improve the school’s funding, the idea of selling raffle tickets was introduced this year.
Students are able to sell raffle tickets $10 per ticket with prize opportunities for an iPad, mini fridge, Airpod Pros, a Blackstone Grill and family photo package. Every five raffle tickets a student sells, they will get one ticket of their own for the raffle. Th raffle will end Jan. 18.
“I will give Mr. Hoffman the credit on this one,” Knoll said. “He came up with this idea and I think it is a great way for not just our student body to get involved in the process, but the community as well.”
Another massive part to scoring is the sportsmanship the schools have between each other.
Sportsmanship will start at 25 points for both teams, and throughout the night, points will be reduced for actions that prove to be unsportsmanlike.
“No yelling at the players or officials, no throwing things on the court or mats, no obscene gestures or anything else that would get us in trouble,” Knoll said. “This is meant to be a fun event that could so easily be taken away, so please think before you act.”
Other categories the judges will use is school spirit, the lyp sync battle, spirit posters, the cheerleading competition, “paddle” drawing, the band, the wrap battle, basketball, wrestling, two decibel readings and the row race.
Besides sports and decibal readings, the categories are based on point levels from one to five. The winner of the boat race will also reieve an additional five points.
Each decibel reading is worth two points, while the basketball games and wrestling are worth 10 points each.
Student council has been working hard to make sure they are fully prepared. ASB President Jasmin Allen believes these rule changes can be a a new way to incorporate creative ideas.
Another change that has been made is the distinct rules in school colors.
LHS is now green and yellow and SHS is red and white. In past years, LHS was able to use white as long as it was addressed in a meeting before the event, which will no longer be allowed. However, in moderation, the schools are able to use other colors outside of these four without losing points.
“As for the colors, I think that gives us more room for themes in the future,” Allen said.
Allen sees these rule changes as motivation for everybody to support the school against LHS’ rival.
All of student council has been working extremely hard to make sure the paddle stays at Lakeland for the fifth victory.
“The best way to help is to go the events during Battle for the Paddle week and donate,” Allen said. “Fundraising is huge and to enjoy the Battle for the Paddle.”
