Norwin High School girls play football for fun fundraiser

Girls from Norwin’s four high school classes squared off Tuesday in two flag football games that pitted freshmen against sophomores and juniors against seniors.

Teams competed for bragging rights and for fun, all in the name of raising money for gifts for needy children.

What was the third annual Norwin Powderpuff for Charity tournament played at the Norwin Knights stadium gave about 110 girls on the four teams the chance to play the game on the same field used for games on Friday nights in the fall.

“It was one of my best high school memories, seeing the joy the players had at the game. It brings the girls together for a great cause,” said Miya Valecko, a senior and the organizer of the contest in which she played the past two years.

The tournament raised money for a nonprofit, Toys for Pittsburgh Tikes, which gives toys to children during the holidays. Money was raised by charging each player a $25 entry fee — half of which went to buy shirts for the players.

Fans were charged a $5 admission fee and had the option of donating more money. Instead paying for admission, fans could bring a new toy for Toys for Pittsburgh Tikes charity initiative. The Greater Pittsburgh Business Connection created the nonprofit that has more than 65 area businesses striving to improve the Pittsburgh-area communities where they operate.

A spokesperson for Toys for Pittsburgh Tikes could not be reached for comment.

Last year, the tournament raised about $4,300 and boxes of toys, Valecko said.

“We’re hoping to reach a goal of $5,000,” Valecko said.

The flag football fundraiser is a student-led initiative.

“That shows a lot of leadership,” Valecko said. “We’re getting a lot of people involved.”

Natalie Aquilio, a senior volleyball player who played running back, said she wanted to play this year because it is a good opportunity to socialize with her friends and get the most out of her last year of high school.

Senior Brandi Brozeski, a member of the track and field team who also played running back, said she enjoyed playing the game with her friends last year and wanted to do it again.

Valecko, a soccer player who was her team’s quarterback, enjoyed playing last year, so she decided to take the initiative to organize this year’s after last year’s organizer, Hannah Shaw, graduated.

Hannah Amantea, is a junior soccer player who is the flag football team’s tight end and kicker.

“It’s just great for all of the girls to get to bond together and be themselves,” Amantea said. “It’s a great environment, and we get to raise money for a great cause.”