Concordia International School Hanoi’s National Honor Society (NHS) chapter successfully organized its 2nd Annual Charity Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, February 8, bringing together students from across Hanoi for a day of spirited competition and philanthropy. The event, which saw participation from eight international schools, aimed to unite volleyball enthusiasts while raising funds for a noble cause. This year's tournament proceeds will support the NHS Medical Supply Project, which provides first-aid kits and medicine to local orphanages and community centers in underprivileged Vietnamese communities.

One of the event organizers expressed excitement about the growing interest: "We're thrilled that so many different schools are participating. Last year, it was mainly UNIS and Concordia kids, but this year we're seeing many new faces. The other schools even signed up before Concordia kids – the tournament is truly growing to encompass a larger community." - Rinnah (G12) 

This year's NHS volleyball tournament was a resounding success, continuing the tradition of bringing students together for a fun and philanthropic event. With almost 100 participants and spectators, the atmosphere was electric, showcasing a passion for volleyball and a commitment to supporting the NHS's charitable initiatives. "People were really eager to play," noted one of the event organizers. "When two teams found themselves with an hour-long break between games, they wanted to play for fun with another team, so we organized a friendly match for them." - JaeEun (G12) 

Some of the tournament highlights were marked by enthusiastic participation and spirited competition. Sixty-one players formed seven teams, representing a diverse mix of international schools including UNIS, BIS, RGSV, St. Paul, HIS, Concordia, BVIS, and Sentia. The format featured eleven games in a single-elimination bracket, ensuring intense matches throughout the day. Notably, the event was entirely a student-led initiative, with students handling everything from refereeing to managing the concession stands, many of which had completely sold out by the end of the day.

After a series of exciting matches, the "Smooth Operators" emerged victorious. The winning team consisted of Callum, Bao Ding, Bao Linh, and other Concordia students, with players from BIS and UNIS stepping in to assist due to injuries towards the end of the tournament. The tournament successfully raised 3.1 million VND, which will directly benefit the NHS's charitable initiatives.

The tournament not only showcased athletic talent but also highlighted the spirit of volunteerism among the participants. Even students from other schools eagerly stepped up to help as line judges and in other capacities.

As the event continues to grow, it stands as a testament to the power of student-led initiatives in bringing communities together and making a positive impact. The organizers are already looking forward to an even bigger and better tournament next year, further expanding their reach and ability to support local communities in need.

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