By Sanjana Sanghani, Staff Reporter
Stepping into the bowling alley, cheers and laughter from other Bowling Club members greet Conestoga junior Henry Bailey as he raises his hand and prepares for his first turn. In a moment of stillness he extends his arm back, just before releasing the 12-pound ball forward and striking the 10 white pins to the ground.
Bailey, along with juniors Jacob Rivers and Henric Orr, were inspired to restart Bowling Club this year because of the memories they had created bowling together this past summer. Rivers serves as the club president, with Bailey as vice president, Orr as treasurer and math teacher Vincent Russo as club adviser. The club meets twice a month, rotating between Wednesday and Friday, at Devon Lanes after school.
“I think bowling is a good activity to de-stress and this club is a nice way for students to get away from drama and be with people that you can have a good time with,” Bailey said.
Before Bailey, Orr and Rivers revived the club, Russo — whose family has been bowling for generations — advised the original Bowling Club in 2004.
“Previously, the kids would come bowling whenever they were available. This year I think there’s a core team of kids that are enthusiastic and taking the club more seriously,” Russo said.
Russo is dedicated to preserving interest in the sport.
“If there are young students interested in bowling, and if I can do something to further that, then I think it’s an important job for me to do,” Russo said.
Club members pay $9 for three games. Bailey said he constantly looks for ways to refine his fellow bowlers’ techniques, and while members are out bowling on the lanes, he does not hesitate to coach his fellow members by suggesting to “roll it harder,” or “try and curve it this way.”
“I think what’s fun about this club is not only do you get to see yourself do better but others as well,” Bailey said. “It’s rewarding for me when I am able to help people out and seeing it pay off in the end.”
According to Bailey, the club does not consider itself to be “competition-based,” since the club only records scores after each game to help members track their long-term growth as bowlers rather than use them in a ranking system.
Junior Tasniem Abadalla also said that even though it may be competitive at times, everyone remains supportive of each other.
“The club fosters a positive environment and even if you only hit one pin or a strike, you’re still having a good time with friends,” Abadalla said.
