LARPing Club Enters the Fray
Freeman takes a whack at Ashton
The normal repertoire of EMHS clubs has been augmented this year with rather unique addition: LARPing club. While technically encompassing a variety of activities, LARPing at EMHS consists of friendly sparring with foam equipment. The roots of the club go back to last winter, when a handful of Nerds were inspired to create a group. While they received support among last year's seniors and a handful of other recruits in the spring, LARPing (Live Action Role-Playing) has truly only begun to blossom this year.
The first several meetings have included at minimum ten people, at maximum about twenty, with nearly thirty people signing up for the club. Interest has especially developed among sophomores, but has also engaged in all high-school grades. While potential exists for a conflict with the pacifistic ideology of the Mennonite Church, this has not become a problem, with a general perception among parents that is harmless fun, and with more than half the original members and many of the new ones Mennonite. While some of the members affectionately refer to the meetings as "violence," the team oriented and friendly environment ensures that competitive spirit and aggression are harnessed only for good sport.
The reception among interested persons has been good thus far. While any group can lose its support base, many repeat members have consistently demonstrated interest, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive in water break and post-meeting conversation. Considering the retention and continued interest of the original members (to quote Freeman Bendfeldt: "[LARPing] will be awesome today!") the club shows considerable promise for the future. Potential for a team-like participation in a several hundred person meeting, while not yet explored, should also present an interesting opportunity should the club continue its growth and success.
- David Jost (photo by Matt Layman)
I'm interested by the unique spelling of my name. LARPing is awesome. Hopefully I can figure out what is wrong with my hand so I can join the fray again.
Posted by: Freeman Bendfeldt | October 02, 2007 at 05:14 PM
Good grief. Consider your name fixed. -Master Editor
Posted by: JohnLL | October 03, 2007 at 07:34 AM
eh...
Posted by: Haley | October 05, 2007 at 10:29 AM
LARPing is awesome. Hopefully LARPing and hackysacking will soon be a mandatory class at EMHS.
Posted by: Eric Brodersen | October 09, 2007 at 07:49 AM
haha or not
Posted by: Haley | October 16, 2007 at 11:17 AM
What's the point of larping anyways? and why do we have a club where people hit eachother with foam "swords" yet we have no prom???
Posted by: Haley | November 02, 2007 at 10:43 AM
That's really funny, haley
Posted by: M&M | December 06, 2007 at 09:34 PM
haha thanks
Posted by: Haley | March 07, 2008 at 10:42 AM