Anyone familiar with Salisbury Middle School knows it prides itself with the motto “SMS is the place to be.” On the evening of Oct. 7, there was no doubt about it.

Where else could one end a busy school week playing games such as throwing apples in a basket, go against someone with jousts, dance to the latest hits, dress-up for Halloween, as well as play a friendly game of basketball with their principal? At SMS’s Fall Ball of course!

As SMS Principal Ken Parliman told The Press, “We’re really excited to be able to offer activities that support the social and emotional well-being of our student body. Our students have always enjoyed these events and it makes it even more meaningful when the students play a role in the development/oversight of them. I greatly appreciate the work Mr. [Matt] Tobias (Interact adviser) and our Interact Club have put into organizing this event.”

For student Jayden Szajkovics, the past month “has been awesome” he told The Press. He has been enjoying the experience of being in a new school, seeing new teachers and is looking forward to the activities and field trips the school has to offer.

Helping make this a special evening for fellow students like Jayden are Interact Club members Tessa Kemmerer and Reagan Ehrie. Both believe in the importance of volunteerism, especially in a way that helps both their school and the community as a whole.

So what are they most excited about for their final year at SMS? Both Kemmerer and Ehrie were very clear: having pen pals who live in a foreign country. They like the idea of learning about another country from someone their age.

One of the students who decided to try her hand with the joust was Carly Cline. She can’t wait for a hiking field trip. She also loves soccer and is clearly enjoying her Friday night with her classmates.

Many students told The Press they were excited for the Fall Ball. A common sentiment was they were finally starting a school year without the prospect of online learning and mandated masks – a real return to normalcy to school for them. The fact that the evening offered so many various activities made many feel this was a celebration to a successful start of the year.

Tobias, eighth grade social science teacher and Interact adviser noted the interest for the Fall Ball was so huge they had to separate the event into two sections: 130 students from grades five and six and 116 students from grades seven and eight.

Tobias also made the point that the Interact Club is student-led. As he told The Press, “I want students to be involved and support their community. I want them to have a chance to do that.”

Among the activities the students took part in last year was volunteering at the PA Caring Hearts in Germansville. Not only did the students help with cleaning up the outdoor area for the animals but they also raised funds for the organization by selling heart-shaped lollipops for Valentine’s Day.

The students also raised nearly 2,000 food items for the Everlasting Life Ministries Food Bank last November.

Every year is different and Tobias is clearly ready to see what this year’s Interact Club members will come up with.

Among the teachers who will be there to help guide this year’s students with SMS activities is Meredith Castagna, sixth grade math teacher and co-adviser of student council. She explained the importance of building school-wide activities and nurturing the social aspects and pride of middle school life.

Ajaylea Alexander said he feels good about the start of this school year at SMS. He said he likes his classes and teachers and is looking forward to the upcoming field trips. Any special one? He can’t wait for the Hershey trip when he finishes eighth grade. It is THE field trip for anyone who knows anything about SMS and Alexander clearly can’t wait.

As for Katya Hunter and Lydia Fogel, who volunteered their time to help with games, they are ready for this final year at SMS. They intend to make the most of it, and the Fall Ball is just the start of what should be an exciting year, filled with schoolwide bonding activities at SMS.