November has many disruptions with holidays approaching but at Salisbury High School they have much planned for the upcoming weeks. From the return of the annual powder puff game to the Holiday Hope Chest initiative Salisbury High school continues to be busy.

Additionally, the debate team kicked off its season with dominating performances once again.

The annual powder puff game has been a staple of Salisbury High School’s spring events, but this year it returns in the fall. This tradition, where girls from each grade compete in a spirited flag football game while boys cheer them on, offers a unique opportunity for students to unite in friendly competition. However, scheduling conflicts with spring sports, prom and other commitments prompted the Student Government Association to move the game to fall.

This year’s game will take place 5:30 p.m. Nov. 22 on the high school field, leading up to Thanksgiving break. Each grade will have at least two practice sessions to refine skills, bond as a team and assign roles for the game. Salisbury football players will coach their respective grades, strategizing for game day.

Each grade selects a color and theme to represent their class. Last year, the juniors’ theme was “Juicy Juniors,” a reference to the early 2000s, featuring pink and black attire. Other grades showcased their own unique styles and this year’s themes promise to be just as creative, with the spirited sophomores who will wear patriotic colors.

While admission is free, donations are highly encouraged. This year’s powder puff game aims to bring the community together and give students something exciting to look forward to as the holiday season begins.

As the holidays near, Salisbury’s Key Club is working hard on the Holiday Hope Chest initiative, now in its fourth year.

The program helps bring joy to children in need by filling shoe boxes with toys, essentials and gift cards. Adviser and teacher Mr. Frick said, “This year we are looking at about 120 gifts.”

The donations are categorized by age and gender which ensures every child, from toddlers to teenagers, receives a thoughtful and appropriate gift. Younger children receive boxes filled with toys and essentials, while older teens are given gift cards. “The children that we donate to do not have much; some are foster children, they don’t get a lot, so this is pretty important,” Frick said. The initiative not only spreads joy to local children but also inspires students to appreciate the value of giving back. The Holiday Hope Chest continues to become a yearly project for the Salisbury Key Club.

Salisbury High School’s debate team has started its season with an outstanding beginning.

In its first two competitions, the team achieved an 8-0 victory followed by a 7-1 win, resulting in an impressive 15-1 record. This early success has set high expectations as the team works to replicate last year’s achievements. Despite losing half of last year’s finals team, including rebuttalists and questionnaires, current members have stepped up to fill the gaps. The team has also grown in size, providing confidence that the program will remain strong for years to come.

“I think we are definitely off to a good start. We are in the lead and definitely making finals again,” returning member Phoebe Ballek said.

The Salisbury Debate Team’s accomplishments have not only made an impression on the school but also raised the standard within local debate programs. Their efforts this season aim to prepare them for continued success in finals.