By Maddy Acker
Staff Writer
R.J. Reynolds Powderpuff, a tradition started just two years ago by the Neelon family, is the event of the spring. Female students from each grade participate in a tournament of flag football while the boys play the role of coaching them. Powderpuff is not only about having fun and participating in some healthy competition but also about giving back to the community and contributing to a good cause.
RJR senior Alice Neelon, with her older sister Lucy Neelon, saw Powderpuff as an opportunity to bring the community together and create a fun event that brought up school spirit each year.
“My older sister and I started Powderpuff her junior year and my freshman year,” Neelon said. “My sister was very determined to bring more events to Reynolds that brought our school together, which is how the idea of Powderpuff came to be.”
Each year, this event does exactly that. Boys and girls from each grade unite to try their best to win the tournament and walk away with a trophy. In the months leading up to the event, lots of time and effort are invested into finding sponsors and making sure that Powderpuff can run smoothly.
“I send out many emails and letters asking for sponsors from our local Reynolds community,” Neelon said. “The majority of their contributions go into our donation to the Mental Health Association of Forsyth County [MHA].”
Powderpuff is not just an event for the students but rather an event for the community.
“Sponsors are invited to come to the event to not only watch the students participate in the flag football game but also listen to Andy Hagler, the director of the MHA, speak to the students,” Neelon said.
Powderpuff is a way to recognize the greater cause that it is contributing to, a cause that is often undermined but hits close to home for many people.
“At the time (when Powderpuff came to be), we had people close to us being affected by the mental health crisis, leading us to donate our proceeds to the Mental Health Association of Forsyth County, an organization where funding is sometimes overlooked,” Neelon said.
The annual RJR Powderpuff game has stood its ground as a major event of the spring and one that brings countless memories for all who participate. The “roles reversed” dynamic makes for an interesting event. With boys participating as cheerleaders and coaches and girls playing their part as the actual football players, an extremely well-rounded roster is created.
“I was a coach last year, and it was a lot of fun,” sophomore Tino Kelley said. “We got to teach all the girls some plays, and we were actually pretty good.”
Overall, Powderpuff is a great event that strengthens community bonds and builds school spirit.
“I love the competition that comes from Powderpuff and all of the fun memories I have from participating in it the last three years,” Neelon said.
Powderpuff acts as a reminder each year that giving back to the community can be fun and extremely important.
“I am so thankful to say that each year our donation to the MHA has been more than the last, with us donating $4,000 last year,” Neelon said. “Being able to have a positive impact on my community through a fun event is what I love most.”