Gym-A-Palooza

Sabrina V., Cami M., and Emily R.

What is Gym-A-Palooza? Gym-A-Palooza is an annual event where sixth, seventh, and eighth graders get together to do activities and eat pizza. In 2012, some kids wanted to have a dance, but Mrs. Sprague, the previous principal, thought it would be more fun to have after school activities with all the grades. It seemed like she was right because about 220 Day Creek Intermediate School students came to the 2015 Gym-A-Palooza.

“I came to Gym-A-Palooza because we get pizza and we get to hang out with our friends,” said Abigail L.

In addition to hanging out with your friends, students can play indoor soccer, volleyball, basketball, cage match, and Wii games. Gym-A-Palooza also gives DCIS students an opportunity to meet new people.

“It just easier to do it here. Nobody has to drive anywhere; you just pay $5 to be here,” said Isabella G.

Why did DCIS create Gym-A-Palooza?

“Every school does some type of after school activities, and in this school, our dances aren’t very popular because some kids don’t like to dance and standing around listening to music is boring. So to do after school activities instead of doing dances and stuff like that, we looked to out-of-the-box thinking,” says Mr. Apodaca, one of the vice principals on campus.

There are a few drawbacks, however. For instance, most students say that the event could use a better mix of music.  But since it’s a school event, the music has to be school appropriate. DCIS welcomes suggestions from students, which are then checked for any inappropriate content. If a song doesn’t meet the standards, it gets scratched.  

This year marks the fifth annual Gym-A-Palooza, so it’s safe to say this yearly event is becoming a tradition.