As march madness energy sweeps through Lake Forest High School, a new tradition is dribbling its way into the commons-Pop-A-Shot.
Set up during lunch periods in the commons, the fast paced competition challenges students to sink as many mini basketball shots as possible in just two minutes. With brackets posted and crowds forming around, the event has quickly become one of the most talked about traditions of the week leading into spring break.
The idea for the tournament came after LFHS freshman student council members attended a conference focused on boosting school spirit and student engagement.
“Student council advisors, all of us went to a conference about activities and how to increase spirit in the school,” said Maggie Harmsen. “They brought up one of the ideas, a Pop-A-Shot contest during March Madness, and Mrs.Bielski said run with it.”
Carolyn Bielski, the freshman Student Council sponsor, worked alongside a group of over 30 freshmen to organize the event across lunch periods, creating a bracket-style tournament that mirrors the excitement of the NCAA basketball postseason.
“One of the roles of the student council is to build activities that foster fun and well-being,” Bielski said. “We wanted to do something that aligned with March Madness and capitalize on everyone’s excitement for basketball this week.”
Students compete not only for bragging rights but also for a $20 gift card to The Grind and a trophy “that looks sorta like a Grammy,” according to Bielski.
But beyond the money and bragging rights, the most important reason is to lift spirits during the stressful week of school leading up to spring break.
“It’s our goal, definitely,” Bielski said. “This is a week where students are feeling a bit like deflated balloons, and I think all the teachers are too. We’re just trying to make a little bit of a bright spot.”
That so-called “bright spot” has already made an impact.
Senior Burke Konz, one of the competitors, emphasized how the event can provide a needed break from school work.
“It’s good alleviation for some students who have stress before spring break,” Konz said. “I think it’s a great idea. It’s getting a lot of students involved with school spirit and just having fun.”
The tournament has also created some unique matchups, including a potential sibling showdown. Konz could face his younger sister, freshman Geniveve Konz, in a bracket final.
“I’m really excited about it,” Burke said. “She puts up a good fight, but I think I’ll take the W.”
Genevieve, however, isn’t backing down.
“I think it’ll be fun,” she said. “Probably not a win, because he’s pretty good, but it’ll still be fun.”
For many students, that’s the point.
“It’s kind of giving me a break,” Genevieve said.
With the combination of competition, candy, and commons energy, Pop-A-Shot has quickly turned the foyer of LFHS into a mini arena, one where every swish counts and every student has a shot.
As Spring Break approaches, one thing is clear. Pop-A-Shot is a slam dunk for school spirit. You’d better not miss it this Friday.
