For more than a decade, Gilman Middle School has supported the work of Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake through its three-on-three Middle School basketball tournament, Hoops for Habitat. This year, the Middle School community sponsored a unique, COVID-safe edition:  three-on-three Hula Hoops for Habitat.

Students formed teams of three and asked family and friends to sponsor them to raise money for the cause. When the timer started, each team member’s goal was to keep his hula hoop going (making sure the hoop stayed above the knees and below the armpits, per tournament rules) for as long as possible. The teams with the last hula-hooper remaining were declared the winners:

• Sixth grade: Kang, Kazemnia, and Connolly (18 minutes and 30 seconds)
• Seventh grade: Morrow, Staley, and Nesti (19 minutes and 06 seconds)
• Eighth grade: Asiedu, Son, and Thompson (10 minutes)

The special tournament was held during the athletics period on Thursday, March 11 (postponed from the original date of Thursday, February 11, due to snow). As always, the proceeds from this tournament, totaling $400 this year, will be donated to Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, a foundation that supports the building and/or rehabilitation of homes for families.

A very special thank you to the athletic coaches for running the event and to Mr. Flint for the AV support.