Whacky Wizards wow audience at East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School

Students grades kindergarten through sixth from Rhame Avenue and Centre Avenue schools filled the stands at East Rockaway Junior-Senior High School for an evening of fun and wonder with the Harlem Wizards on May 25.

The Wizards played teachers and faculty members from both elementary schools in a basketball game to raise money for the East Rockaway Education Foundation. The event was filled with everything from athletic prowess to goofy skits and tricks —setting the backdrop for many memorable moments. After the evening of high jinks concluded, the Wizards held on for an 85-83 nail-biting victory.

“They put on a nice show for the kids,” said Theresa Devlin, co-corresponding secretary for the EREF and committee chair for the Wizards. “They get them involved. It’s just a really nice community event.”

This was the third time the foundation hosted the game, and the Wizards visit the school about every three years, Devlin said. This year, the EREF sold 453 tickets to the event — the most ever. Between the basketball game and the annual EREF 5K in March, the foundation has raised over $10,000, which will go toward funding projects for the 2017-18 school year in the East Rockaway School District that are not covered by the budget.

During the game, members of the Wizards stopped to perform dances and tricks. They also selected students from the audience to get involved. One such stunt saw one of the players dress as an old lady on the court and get in on the action. After the game, Wizards players, with names such as “Livewire” and “Hi-Rise” signed autographs for the students.

The night was as much fun for the faculty as it was for the children.

“I thoroughly enjoyed playing basketball with my colleagues in support of the East Rockaway Education Foundation,” said Rhame Avenue Principal Erik Walter. “It was a thrilling event for the audience, and the students were the winners because all the funds raised will go directly back into our schools.”

Sherry Ma, the principal of Centre Avenue, was also glad to support the cause, despite being on the losing side. “It was a valiant effort by all staff members and although we came up a little short (literally), that didn’t stop us from trying our best,” she said. “The money raised from the evening went toward the East Rockaway Education Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports our schools in creative and financial ways.”

Last year, the EREF approved nine grants for nearly $12,000. The grants have gone toward new technologies in the district, including a robotics program in some of the schools. EREF President Dan Caracciolo said that the foundation would begin listening to teachers and administrators about what they think the money should be used for in September.