You have probably noticed by now that when you stop into the cafeteria, there is usually a crowd by the game area. This usually includes some people, such as those gathered around the foosball and air hockey tables, but more noticeably, there is a large gathering of people over by the table tennis area. To many students, this is a popular spot to hang out and get competitive during lunch and before athletic practice. Regardless of your reason for being there, the rise in popularity will keep the table busy for a long time.
The significant increase in popularity is due to the people who play. Wenyu Wang, a senior at FHC, had a thought about the reason for this large change.
“There have been lots of new students and freshmen who have joined the fun in the area last year and this year,” said Wenyu. “I think the recent change in the number of people gathered around the area is because this is new to them.”
Some students seeking fun simply join because they have nothing else to do and want something new to try. “I started playing table tennis because I was bored and wanted to learn to play something new,” said Gabe Smitko, a sophomore at FHC.
So, more people are getting into the action because they haven’t seen the other side of indoor games. Typically, most high schools don’t provide their student bodies this type of opportunity to be able to hang out and do something different than a typical sport.
Landon Veneklase stated, “It’s an easy sport to learn and can help you with other sports like tennis and pickleball, and is very versatile.”
With this new love for an atypical activity, this uncommon sport could also bring forth some downsides, too. Some people have expressed a wish for the amount of people to quiet down because of the lack of playing time. The popularity of table tennis could work against itself and turn funseekers away.
“The game area can get crowded and sometimes can be annoying if there are too many people in line” Wang added.
However, for those who wait it out and get a chance to play, many will find that the sport offers numerous benefits, according to people who often play in the area.
Table tennis offers a lot to the player, providing a relaxed environment, unlike standard racket tennis, but it can still be competitive. It is a game that allows one to play individually or with a companion during doubles. Doubles are often a good way to save time and get more people into the action.
With most sports, the venue in which the sport takes place is linked to the enjoyment factor. The ample space that the cafeteria provides players to freely move around is yet another quality that gains interest within the student body. Another benefit to using the cafeteria is that it has a roof which means that it’s open year-round.
“A lot of people don’t have access to these types of environments at home, and don’t have the space to put these tables anywhere inside,” said Andrew Lathwell.
The ample space helps build a steady flow of relationships and builds the community to make a fun and healthy environment. “You can meet new people who have similar interests that you in games that you may like to play or that you are good at,” said James Walker.
No matter which side of the table you’re on in this debate, this new space and activity will continue to welcome newcomers and returners alike who seek competitive fun and amicable friendship.
