What do you get when you combine a 48-inch beach ball, middle schoolers, and a big heart for service? The first-ever Big Fun Ball U.S. Middle School National Championships, hosted this spring at Bennington South Middle School!
A Classroom Grant enabled Andy Scott, 8th grade teacher and Service Club sponsor, to bring this event to life with energy, creativity, and a big dose of community spirit. The grant funded key elements for success including six giant beach balls and championship rings.
Big Fun Ball, a mash-up of volleyball and pickleball played with oversized beach balls, was designed to be accessible and fun for everyone. No experience was necessary, and students from all middle school grade levels were invited to join in the fun. Brackets were created for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade singles and doubles, with National Champions crowned in each.
But it wasn’t just about the game—it was also about giving back. Instead of a traditional entry fee, students were asked to donate toilet paper for the Open Door Mission, a local shelter providing care for the homeless and women and children in need. The timing of the donations was especially meaningful, as the shelter had recently suffered flooding in their storage area and lost much of their supply of paper goods.
“We were able to give over 200 rolls of toilet paper to the Open Door Mission,” said Scott. “They were incredibly grateful, and it meant a lot to our students to see how their fun could make a real difference.”
The event impacted 70 students directly, offering not just a good time but also lessons in leadership, event planning, and social responsibility. The BSMS Service Club was deeply involved in the planning and execution—from brainstorming ideas to working through the logistics of coordinating a school-wide event and community partnership.
“There were lots of impractical ideas at first,” Scott said, “but through discussions and problem-solving, we landed on a final plan that worked really well. It was a fantastic experience for our students.”
The success of the tournament has sparked interest in making it an annual tradition. With five of the six beach balls still in good shape, future costs will be minimal—just a small budget for new championship rings.
This project is a perfect example of how Foundation funding can help spark joy, build community, and meet real-world needs—all at the same time.
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