The March Madness basketball tournament was an enjoyable event for the friends and families of Fords Middle School students. It took place on March 26, 2025 in the FMS gym. The tournament featured a competitive and fun basketball game as a fundraiser for FMS student activities. Our head Spanish teacher, Mrs. Gallagher, primarily organized this fantastic day.
The evening was filled with excitement, with a $10 fee to participate in the tournament and a $5 fee for spectators. The event included a photo booth, prizes, and friendly competition.
After volleyball tryouts, my friends and I had the chance to watch the game. A fellow eighth-grader, Amelia, remarked, “This game was fun and enjoyable to watch. It was a great time spent with my friends. The concession stands and photo booth greatly enhanced this already delightful experience!”
The March Madness event featured several teams, including the Charcoal team, Pink team, Purple team,
Green team, Neon team, Yellow team, and Blue team. Each team competed against one another, and the winning teams faced off.
Finally, a halftime show performed by the FMS cheerleaders kept the audience on the edge of their seats, showcasing some thrilling performances.
I had the opportunity to interview the event coordinator, Mrs. Gallagher, who said, “The March Madness Challenge increased family involvement from parents and family events; it was less of a fundraiser and more of an event that encouraged parental involvement in school life. I believe the event was quite successful. Each team had an adult member and two children. My favorite aspect of the event was the high level of participation. Many parents who tried to get involved couldn’t because we reached full capacity. I see myself hosting another event like this due to its massive success. This event helped welcome parents to the school. However, I didn’t do it alone; I received help from the cheer coach, Mrs. Robertiello, and her cheer team, as well as Mr. Nittii, who took care of the technical aspects of the game, and Ms. Uchrin, who managed the scorekeeping. Together, we worked hard to put this tournament together in a couple of weeks. The half-court shot and the knockout were great ways to engage all of the spectators, and they all seemed to have a lot of fun.”
The first game after halftime was between the Pink and Purple teams, resulting in a tie and a rematch. Ultimately, the pink team won the game 6-7.
Woodbridge Councilman, Howie Bauer, and Dolce Pizza collaborated to sponsor pizza for players and cheerleaders in attendance at the game. Mr. Checo, an FMS parent, sponsored a complimentary photo booth for everyone at the game.
Overall, the March Madness basketball game was an evening to remember. I’m sure our Falcons can’t wait for next March!
