Center Moriches High School recently hosted its annual Battle of the Classes, a spirited competition where each grade level faced off in relay races and other activities designed to promote teamwork and school pride. The March 6th event, now in its second
year, was the culmination of a weeklong effort, during which students worked together to create and paint murals while earning sportsmanship points leading up to the main competition.

“I brought this event to Center Moriches High School because it was such a memorable and meaningful experience for me when I was a student,” said Kevin Scott, a physical education teacher and organizer of the event. “Now in just our second year, the event exceeded our expectations and continues to grow. Each year, we’re looking for new ways to make it even more exciting and inclusive so that every student has the opportunity to take part and feel connected to our school community.”

Throughout the week, students took part in several activities designed to build anticipation for the final competition. One of the highlights was a building-wide scavenger hunt for red hockey pucks, or “advantage coins,” which provided rewards for the grades that discovered them. Three items were hidden throughout the school, allowing three grades to gain a unique advantage in the final activity.

The week of activities culminated on Friday with the main Battle of the Classes event, where students gathered for an evening of spirited competition. Each grade wore its own color—freshmen in purple, sophomores in black, juniors in blue, and seniors in tie-dye—and kicked off the event with creative grade-level entrances. Points were awarded throughout the evening for spirit, sportsmanship, and performance in a variety of games.

Students participated in a wide range of activities and games, including running relays, volleyball, tug-of-war, and a scooter relay, among others. The friendly rivalry kept the crowd energized throughout the evening, with each grade cheering on their classmates. In a close finish, the senior class narrowly secured the victory, edging out the juniors by just one point.

“Events like this play an important role in building school spirit and strengthening our school community,” said Marissa Mangogna, principal of Center Moriches High School. “It’s truly wonderful to see our students come together for an evening of fun, friendly competition, and shared pride in their school. Watching their excitement and enthusiasm throughout the night is incredibly rewarding for all of us.”