A recent spike ball tournament managed by the Power of Blue chapter heads from The Bolles School netted more than $11,000 for the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.

Power of Blue is a Pennsylvania-based network of more than 150 service-oriented student ambassadors with a passion to get involved in their community, volunteer, fundraise and create awareness of people and communities in need. The group unites students’ outreach initiatives through the network, which promotes events and provides opportunities for people to support their work. Ambassadors are currently in North Carolina, Maryland, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey and the list continues to expand around the world. At Bolles, the Power of Blue chapter heads are Ava Allen ’24 and Jessie Pearson ’23.

Pearson was made aware of The Power of Blue through a friend in another state. She was drawn to join the network because “the choice is ours to decide which organization we want to support. It’s not as much a fundraising opportunity, it is more about bringing like-minded teens together to make a difference.”

Pearson and Allen chose a spike ball tournament as their awareness event and the Ronald McDonald House as the recipient organization. The girls traveled to Maryland earlier in the fall to watch the Maryland chapter heads run their spike ball tournament fundraiser, then began planning the Jacksonville event. Selecting the Ronald McDonald House as a donation recipient was a natural fit. Pearson and several other Bolles students have supported the Ronald McDonald House Club at Bolles during the past few years and were very familiar with the group and its mission. The Ronald McDonald House supports the health and well being of children by providing lodging, meals, transportation and a community of care to critically ill children and their families who need to be near a hospital for treatment.

The Power of Blue Spike Ball tournament was held October 24 at The Goodwin House with the support of 15 local Power of Blue ambassadors. The tournament was a sell out with 32 teams participating. Spike ball contestants were encouraged to show up in costumes and enjoy concessions and music while cheering on the other teams. Representatives from the Ronald McDonald House also were onsite to support the students and share information about their organization.

Members of the Bolles Spike Ball Club participated as players and ambassadors. In the end, the Bolles swim duo of Tucker Peterson ’22 and Seth Tolentino ’24 were the Spike Ball Tournament winners. Congratulations to all Bulldogs who participated in and supported the event!