Sixth graders in the Class of 2030 spent the last day of school experiencing one of WardlaLAartridge’s best traditions – The Cardboard Regatta – on June 11. They discovered that it’s possible to build a boat using cardboard! After learning about the parts of a boat, various types of boats, and discussing Archimedes’ theory on buoyancy, the sixth graders were given the challenge to design and build a cardboard boat, which is capable of completing the quickest lap in the school swimming pool, powered by two onboard sailors from their crew.
On Monday morning they planned and built prototypes in the art room and on Tuesday, using just duct tape and cardboard they built their vessels in Laidlaw Gym. After just 2.5 hours of construction time, their boats were ready to race! By 10:45 a.m., the pool viewing deck was filled to capacity with family, friends, and all the seventh and eighth graders who had competed in 2022 and 2023.
Miss Tanda Tucker, who brought this tradition to LA and continues to supervise the program with pride, admitted she was a bit concerned about how many boats were going to make it because there were only five boats entered in the competition.
“I’m happy to report that four of the five crews in the regatta made it to the finish line,” Miss Tucker said. “Notice I said crews, not boats, because one boat ended up being pulled to the finish line by its resilient crew members who flat out refused to give up!”
The Winner of the 11th Annual Sixth Grade Cardboard Regatta with a time of 59.50 is Oiselle de la Mer (Bird of the Sea) with Captain Lexington Donahue and crew members Landry Shafer and Jeremiah Simeonidis.
Below is a listing of this year’s other Cardboard Regatta prize winners:
The People's Choice Award and the Longest afloat (2:18:23) – The Ram
Captain: Jaxon Simeonidis
Crew: Eric Redman and Sanaya Joshi
The Most Creative Use of Cardboard – The Black Pearl
Captain: Gavin Tobin-Montanez
Crew: Alanna Augustin and Tessa Gehl
The Worst Looking After Award – The Obsidian
Captain: Ni'el Jones
Crew: Michael Zhang and Kimaaya Golchha
The Titanic Award – The Pink-ity Drink-ity
Captain: Shaina Patel
Crew: Sasha Buezo and Jason Bai