The eighth grade class at Nemaha Central Middle School hosted boat races on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the Aquatic Center in Seneca. These eighth graders took their time and worked as a team to create boats that would travel the distance of the pool.
One contest was to see which group’s boat could cross the pool without sinking. Then another contest is awarded to the best-dressed crew. Lastly, the last contest is the best boat design/decoration. Then, there is one team that receives the Davy Jones Race award, which is for the team whose boat sinks the fastest.
With great teamwork, students were required to design and construct their boat using only 2 thicknesses of cardboard and a roll of duct tape that only overlapped a little bit. Teams also livened up the project by theming their boat with a name and dressing in outfits to go along with it.
The teams pulled their boats together and eagerly awaited their turn to race. Each team put their boat in the water, and one crew member in each boat. As the race began, the person in the boat attempted to paddle across the pool. Some boats sank after a short time, while others survived the distance of the pool. Those who survived were able to race again.
Bryce Weber said, “I had a lot of fun making and creating boats. The contest was really fun.”
The award winners for the fastest boat were Hudson Kuckelman, Tate Edelman, and Trent Stuke. The Best Dressed award went to Karla Deters, Olivia Hermesch, Piper Hiltgen, and Alyvia Sudbeck. Lastly, the Best Design was awarded to Cora Langill, Khloe Crevier, and Payson Rottinghaus. Zoey Streeter and Emma Tangeman received the Davy Jones award since theirs sank right away.
Claire Sourk said, “I thought our boat would do better, but we tried and that's all that matters.”
The eighth grade students look forward to this event every year, and this year the weather was perfect. The boat races ended with the eighth grade students jumping into the water as a class.
Article by Haelyn Wahl
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