Reliving fantasies of swordplay, the boys? physical education [PE] donned masks with swords in hand. With pokes and jabs, the fencing unit was underway.

Scott Callisch, athletic director, has been promoting fencing in the PE department for six years.

?Fencing is unusual,? Callisch said. ?It?s probably something all the kids haven?t done.?

Fencing brings a variety of emotions from the boys.

?Sixty-five percent hate the fencing unit,? Callisch said. ?Thirty-five percent love it. The other five percent are just confused.?

Although fencing is not reserved for boys alone, the girls PE department has yet to adopt the unit.

?The girls? teachers don?t know anything about fencing,? Callisch said. ?And, the girls don?t like the masks.?

Callisch teaches fencing by demonstration.

?I demonstrate the skills,? Callisch said. ?We go through it slowly, we practice it and then we perform it.?

Brandon Cain, ?06, believes there are many different reasons to fence.

?I like fencing,? Cain said. ?It?s relaxing and enjoyable.?

Even though fencing is not a group sport, the boys? P.E. class works in partners, which adds to the excitement for some.

?I like having Paul [Kinnear, ?06] as my partner,? Cain said. ?And, I like tapping my sword on the floor.?

Although Cain enjoys fencing, it is not his favorite sport for P.E.

?Paddle tennis is my favorite,? Cain said. ?It?s outside and it?s awesome!?

Others like the sport, but fail to see the importance.

?I love fencing!? Kinnear said. ?But, I don?t think it has a purpose. It has no actual point.?

Even though fencing is just played for fun, there is still some competition.

?I like having Brandon [Cain, ?06] as my partner,? Kinnear said. ?And, I like beating the freshman.?

For more information on fencing, visit www.thefeather.com and read ?Swordplay amuses, entertains aspiring fencer? [Feb. 28, 2005].