Washington gets powder puff again this year

WASHINGTON — School board members say Washington students can again play powder puff — an informal variation of flag football — during homecoming week. The tradition returned last year after years of being banned due to incidents involving injuries and paint ball guns.

At Wednesday night’s meeting, school officials said they would continue to ask student body representatives to seek approval for the event each year, rather than giving it a blanket approval to continue.

“There’s part of me that prefers it, just because there’s an accountability part,” Superintendent Willie Stone said. “When it was taken away, it was taken away for good reason … I think this helps remind that there’s accountability with it every year.”

Washington High School Student Congress Adviser Connie Kuhlman said organizers would pay extra attention to waivers this year, after some participants in 2022 entered without signing one.

Senior Class President Remy Messinger said almost all coaches had agreed to let their players participate in the games, although a volleyball coach was still undecided.

“We haven’t been told this year, yet,” she said. “I think he’s still trying to decide.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com