For the girls bowling team at Hoffman, bowling is more than just a hobby. In fact, for many of the players, bowling was competitive at a young age.

“I started to bowl at the age of six,” said Jordyn Fera, senior. “My parents bowl in leagues and have for years. They got my brother to join in and as his little sister, I always wanted to try everything he was doing.”

Fera has been a varsity team presence since her freshman year and has also been a two-year captain. Originally, she had no intention of bowling in high school; however, at the prompting of her mother, she continued and recently placed first in the ‘Rolling into the New Year’ tournament at Grayslake North High School. For other bowlers, they started at a later age.

“I was thirteen when I started to bowl, my freshman year. I joined because my friend who was on the team told me how great it was and how supportive everyone was,” said Kelly Paradowski, junior varsity.

Even with differences in experience, girls bowling is known for being loud, cheerful, and supportive. Parents clamor to watch their kids, and the girls have developed cheers to support teammates during meets. The meets have an electrifying atmosphere, even if someone is having an off-day knocking down pins.

Often, the girls participate in leagues outside of Hoffman. Poplar Creek’s league is a popular choice among Hoffman bowlers to further their skills in the off season.

“It’s competitive,” said Darcy Lange, a junior varsity and Poplar Creek bowler. “The money you earn while you bowl goes toward college, whether or not you actually bowl in college.”

For girls participating in leagues such as Poplar, scholarship money may be offered through tournaments. Despite many bowlers not continuing in college, the tuition money earned can still go toward their college education.

Tournaments and leagues are a great out-of-school opportunity for bowlers to enjoy their sport while earning tuition money for the future.