On March 9, Riordan and Mercy High School took up arms as they competed in the annual Mercy-Riordan Benefit Rally. After a night of fun games and competitions, Riordan emerged victorious for the first time in four years.

“I would say that it was more fun being in the games and interacting with others,” said Mercy Senior Jolly Curameng. “It’s sad that Mercy continues to lose the games, but with the many Mercy students who attend, their spirit makes up for it.”

The rally was a night of fun, fellowship, and friendly competition. The night began with a stunning ceremony. Members of the San Francisco Foster Youth thanked everyone for their contribution and time in the event.

The night kicked off with a prayer from the combined religious teams of Riordan’s LIFE Team and Mercy’s Core Team. They recited a beautiful poem regarding child abandonment and the living conditions of those who are less fortunate. Following the prayer, Mercy students Maddie Anderson and Tiera Cummings sang the National Anthem.

The first event was the “The Mummies.” During this event, teams of 10 each took turns wrapping tape around each other. However, there was a twist to this seemingly simple event. The “mummies” could only use their hands at the beginning to hold the tape; afterwards, they could only use their body and their luck. After 20 intense minutes, Riordan came out on top.

“We had such a disadvantage with a miss start and extension of wrapping. We were behind at the time I got up and I helped our guys catch up to get ahead. [I] spun like heck and eventually caught up and surpassed Mercy,” said Trevor Paulbitski ’18.

Up next was the student parliament’s favorite game, “Giant Chopsticks.” During this event, Members of Riordan’s Student Parliament competed with Mercy’s Student Council in an intense head to head competition. Students were tasked with transferring a number of small items into a hoolahoop using large, overly sized chopsticks. Once again, through their grit and skill, Riordan’s Student Parliament came out on top.

The rally was not only filled with competitive challenges, but also fun matches featuring couples. The event was done in a relay-race style of competition, where couples raced to complete a series of objectives. The first part was to throw one person over a low hanging bar. Afterwards, the couples picked up clipboards, and hit a small paper ball into a recycling bin. The next challenge was for one person to lift the other onto their shoulders to take a bite of a doughnut hanging on string, dangling from the top of the gym.