Brian Hagberg
WARREN, Pa. – After a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the CASA Senior Classic returned to the Warren Area High School gymnasium showcasing Warren County seniors in a volleyball exhibition.
The 16th annual event, which had to take the year off in 2021 due to pandemic mitigation efforts, brought seniors from Eisenhower, Sheffield, Warren, and Youngsville back to the court Wednesday for a friendly volleyball contest.
“It’s a really fun opportunity and these kids had so much fun,” CASA of Warren and Forest County Director Melissa Sproveri said. “I’m super happy all these kids showed up. It was fun, they all had a ball.”
Preliminary matches were held at the Warren County YMCA on Sunday to set up the championship match between Warren and Sheffield, and the consolation match featuring Eisenhower and Youngsville. The senior Knights claimed one final “Backyard Brawl” victory with a 2-0 win over the Eagles, while the Dragons took home the Casa Classic Championship with a 3-0 win over the Wolverines.
For many of these seniors, including all the boys, taking to the volleyball court was a new experience.
“It was awesome. It was a great time,” Warren’s Kody Vega said. “I think (the CASA Classic) is awesome because I’m not able to play (varsity) volleyball because we don’t have it here. So to be able to be included in something with fellow senior classmates as something to wrap up the end of the year, it was really awesome.”
See Vega’s full interview here:
While it was a competition in the strictest sense of the word, Vega said the opportunity to go out and have fun with seniors from around the county in an athletic environment was more important than the final score.
“In a ‘normal’ sporting event, you have a little bit of chippiness and you go at it a couple of times,” Vega said. “Here, everyone’s a friend. Everyone’s here to have fun. You compete, yeah, but nobody’s going at each other’s necks and that’s the best part.”
More than just the athletic contests, the event featured entertainment as well as Sheffield’s Madison Roell sang the national anthem, and dancers from Molly Dies Dance Unlimited gave a sneak peek into what their Sunday recital will entail.
“I’m super grateful to everyone that’s involved,” Sproveri said. “From the athletic directors to the YMCA to the coaches and our sponsors. Being around these kids in a different type of setting is always a good time.”
CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, are trained volunteers appointed by the court to represent the interests of children who come before the court.
“We speak up for children who have been experiencing abuse and neglect that are in the child welfare system,” Sproveri said.
The Senior Classic is one of CASA’s biggest events of the year, and the bleachers inside the Joseph A. Massa gymnasium were nearly full for this year’s event.
“I love when people support the kids, it matters to them,” Sproveri said. “It’s a big deal, so it’s really great to see the bleachers full.”
In addition to ticket sales, CASA also held a 50/50 drawing and gas card raffle to raise additional funds. The 50/50 winner was generous enough to donate the winnings back to CASA.
The event holds special meaning for the participants as well.
“It means a lot,” Vega said. “The fact I was even asked to play in this game, it’s a great feeling. And then to see as many people show up that did, it’s a great feeling to know money was raised for a good cause.”
Anyone wishing to get involved with CASA can reach out through their website, Facebook or Instagram pages, or call 814-723-4434.
