By Sarah Skinner, Opinions Editor
A loud sound breaks out across the basketball court, echoing against the bleachers and the backboards as the game plays on. It’s not crazed cheering for a point scored, however – it’s the laughter of family and friends as they gather together for fun and support of a great cause.
The third annual Slam Dunks for Schools will take place Sunday, March 5, at 4 p.m. in the First Flight High School gym. The Outer Banks’ “home team,” the OBX Scallywags, will welcome the Harlem Ambassadors for a “showball” show-off. This mix of basketball and family-friendly comedy promises a good time for all ages.
“You never really know what’s going to happen,” said Elisabeth Silverthorne of the Dare Education Foundation, coordinator of the event. “The Harlem Ambassadors do a great job of playing off the home team.”
The Harlem Ambassadors are an internationally recognized name, and their team of both men and women travels across the country and the world putting on events similar to this one: “They are also good examples for our kids,” Silverthorne said. “They are pursuing their dreams of playing sports as a career, but they have all graduated from college and they have a drug-free lifestyle message.”
Good examples, and a good cause, too: All proceeds from the game go to the Dare Education Foundation, providing Dare County students with financial assistance to pursue their own dreams. The DEF dedicates the funds toward grants that both teachers and students can apply for, as well as student scholarships.
“Our goal is to raise the money needed to improve the quality of (students’) educations above what tax dollars can provide alone,” Silverthorne said. “We want (students) to have as many opportunities as possible.”
This event, though in its third year, had origins long before the first whistle blew: “I pitched the idea to my Board because Dare Education Foundation had done many events, but we didn’t have any events at the time that were family-friendly,” Silverthorne said. She’s organized the event every year since, and plans to continue it for the future. “It (gives) us a chance to reach out to the demographics that are directly served by our work – parents, children and teachers.”
So what can the OBX community expect from the event this year? Dazzling ball-handling tricks, high-flying slam dunks and a whole lot more.
“It is going to be a lot of fun,” Silverthorne said. “It is your only chance to see anything like it on the beach all year long. It will be cold outside, but this will be a chance to join your friends and neighbors in a warm and high-energy environment.”
For those who aren’t as engaged by the game itself, there will be an auction, concessions throughout the match, and a spaghetti dinner from 6-7:30 p.m. afterwards. That night, DEF will also draw the winners for their raffle fundraiser, and the two tickets pulled will each win a $500 VISA gift card. The event is sponsored by Super Wings.
First Flight’s doors open at 3:30 p.m, and tickets are $8 for students and teachers and $13 for adults if not bought in advance. Tickets can be purchased online and picked up at Will Call through the DEF website by visiting http://slamdunks2017.brownpapertickets.com/ .
Check out a video of some of last year’s highlights below!
