En garde! Sierra Vista High School introduced a new club that allows students to create a new community that focuses on the art of dueling. The Dueling Club offers a safe environment for students to connect with one another through sword fighting, providing an opportunity to develop an understanding of swordsmanship and explore themes of fantasy and history.
The Dueling Club consists of Sierra Vista High School students who share a passion for dueling and sword play. The club’s advisor, Mr. Fox, comments, “There really are no challenges being the advisor. All the kids are great. They love to duel and are passionate about having fun.” Additionally, Dueling Club President Christopher Stroud (12), shares, “Dueling club is one of the most uniquely styled clubs on campus, if you enjoy and have a love for Star Wars, Medieval, and other pop fiction genres then Dueling Club is no better than home. Our club is incredibly welcoming to new guests and willing to take in anyone so long as you follow our rules.” Stroud also adds his personal connection with the Dueling Club, “Dueling Club was a passion project since I’ve always loved lightsabers and dueling with friends since I was a child. And I wondered, that if UNLV can have their lightsaber club, then why can’t a highschool also have one?”
As the name suggests, the Dueling Club primarily focuses on playful, yet competitive combat, meeting in Mr. Fox’s room every Wednesday before transitioning to the back quad of the campus, where most of the dueling occurs. Students then take turns fighting one another with custom designed cushioned swords. The swords consist of PVC pipes and pool noodles as a foundation, with duct tape and bandages wrapped around the blade and handle respectively to ensure safety while dueling. Moreover, the club offers a variety of cushioned swords such as double-edged and dual wield to accommodate students who prefer different fighting techniques. Dueling Club establishes a set of rules for their members to follow during each match in order to keep meetings flowing efficiently and fairly. Another activity the Dueling Club partakes in involves battle choreography, exploring the mechanics and techniques involved in dueling. Furthermore, the Dueling Club community practices choreographing for future Sierra Vista events such as assemblies.
From sparring to socializing, the club offers a unique set of activities to partake in while also guiding students to learn about concepts of swordsmanship and fantasy. As the end of the 2024-25 first semester approaches, the Sierra Vista High School Dueling Club remains open and welcomes any students interested in the club every Wednesday in Room 210.
(Matteo Boado)
