Third Annual Strike For Success Dodgeball Tournament Supports Woodard Programs

Woodard Junior High staged the 3rd Annual Strike For Success dodgeball tournament on Jan. 5 as a community fundraiser to support student extracurricular programs. Organizers used a recent podcast interview with Jeff Stoner of Yuma Electric Service and Principal Nicole Alonzo to promote the event, explain how it was created and outline volunteer, participation and sponsorship opportunities.

Proceeds from the tournament were earmarked for Woodard’s band, dance and library programs. The fundraiser is intended to provide resources that classroom budgets do not always cover, and organizers emphasized the role local businesses and residents play in sustaining extracurricular activities that contribute to students’ educational and social development.

Stoner and Alonzo used the podcast platform to walk through the tournament’s origins and to encourage community involvement. The episode also provided listeners with event details and contact information for those interested in participating or sponsoring future events. Residents seeking more information were directed to contact Woodard Junior High or Yuma Electric Service for specifics on participation, volunteering and sponsorship.

The tournament underscores a broader local reality: extracurricular programs frequently rely on community fundraising to supplement school resources. For families and stakeholders in Yuma County, such events offer direct opportunities to support student activities while building local partnerships between schools and businesses. The reliance on annual fundraisers also raises questions for district and county policymakers about long-term funding stability and equitable access to enrichment programs across schools.

As Woodard and its partners continue community outreach, the tournament model highlights avenues for civic engagement beyond one-off donations. Sponsorships and volunteer roles allow residents and employers to invest in programs that affect student retention, school culture and extracurricular access. For policymakers, the recurring need for fundraisers is an indicator to review budget priorities and public funding mechanisms for arts and library services in junior high schools.

Organizers framed the Strike For Success tournament as both a community-building event and a practical response to funding needs. For residents who want to support Woodard Junior High’s extracurricular offerings, contacting the school administration or Yuma Electric Service remains the direct route for information on how to get involved in future tournaments and sponsorship efforts.