Birdies Fly with Eagles

UNICEF’s Annual Badminton For Charity

SHREYA KUBERAN ’27 and EESHA GORANTLA ’27

March 13, 2025

One of several matches pictured within the small gym, as players and student-referees join together for this chairity event.

On February 26, Edison High’s UNICEF club hosted its annual Badminton For Charity event, which brought in over twenty teams with a multitude of skills. The event garnered positive reactions, and the participants enjoyed the fierce competition on the court.

The event consisted of twenty to thirty teams that went through elimination brackets. Participants’ opinions on the event varied.

“I feel like the event could have been organized a bit better, “ said Armaan Chhabria ‘28, one of the referees. “Overall, it was fun, and most people displayed good sportsmanship.”

The winning team, The Bibbles, won in a landslide, scoring 17–8 against their opponents. It consisted of Vanshika Chib ’26, Arushi Barik ‘26, Saisaanvi Bothala ’26, and Naimisha Kanamarlapudi ‘26. They received the school’s ShopRite gift card and this year’s winning title.

Chib encourages others interested in participating next year to have fun while maintaining a competitive spirit.

“I believe our Badminton for Charity event was a resounding success. Numerous teams participated, and the tournament ran smoothly and efficiently overall,” said Umaizah Khan ‘25, the UNICEF vice president. “The energetic atmosphere, enhanced by a fun 2010s pop playlist, fostered a great blend of competition and companionship.”

The winning team (from left): Naimisha Kanamarlapudi ‘26, Saisaanvi Bothala ’26, Vanshika Chib ’26, and Arushi Barik ‘26

COURTESY OF EHS UNICEF BOARD

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The elimination bracket depicts the teams as they close in on the semifinals round, wrapping up UNICEF’s charity event.

COURTESY OF EHS UNICEF BOARD

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Led by advisor Ms. Antonella Marhefka, referee volunteers meet together during warm-ups to review rules for the tournament. Twenty teams competed throughout the event.

COURTESY OF EHS UNICEF BOARD

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This year’s Badminton for Charity event, run by the EHS UNICEF chapter, helped raise money for UNICEF’s children’s relief fund.

COURTESY OF EHS UNICEF BOARD

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Additionally, the UNICEF board was thrilled to raise over $400 to contribute to UNICEF’s children’s relief fund for children in need. The board hopes to continue this tradition and help the environment by moving the tournament to the bigger Frank N. Cangelosi gymnasium in the following years. This change would allow for more participants and a more inclusive event.

“I’m looking forward to next year’s event, “ said Harshithasri Lekha Vengates Kumar ‘27.

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About the Contributor

EESHA GORANTLA ’27, Staff Writer

Eesha joined the newspaper in her freshman year of high school as a staff writer. She has had a passion for writing since her childhood. Outside of the newspaper, you can find her participating in chess and public speaking tournaments. Eesha also enjoys to play the violin and volunteering.