Lake Center Christian School’s Senior High Students Unite for Couch Races

HARTVILLE – A couch is just an upholstered piece of furniture for people to sit on until support beams and caster wheels are added, making it something to ride on and bringing classes together for a common purpose. 

Last week, the senior high students of Lake Center Christian School (LCCS), of Hartville, transformed used couches into fresh, rolling representations of their class. Once the final touches were added, it was off to the races – the Coach Races – a longstanding tradition for the school’s 9th-12th graders. 

The school’s annual Coach Races took place Friday, Oct. 21, at 8:45 AM on the school’s campus. Younger students, faculty and parents gathered to cheer on the freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors as they made their way down the “raceway.”

“The Couch Races are a highlight everyone looks forward to each year,” said Campus Pastor Mr. Jeff Knori. “ It is great to see the competition among the classes.”

The converted couches, which were donated for the event, had to have three cushions, with a minimum of 6 feet between the armrests to be used. Each couch also had to be gravity-powered. No engines or motors allowed. All runners and riders wore helmets for safety.

There was a great deal of excitement resonating as the senior high students – who matched in their class t-shirts – raced their modified couches against each other, displaying unity and making memories in a truly unique fashion. The crowd especially cheered as the senior girls racing ream and the junior boys racing team each secured first place.

“The Couch Races really are special. It is important to begin traditions and maintain them. And this one creates a lot of laughter and fun,” said Mr. Knori.

The racing event, now in its 12th year, wrapped up a week long, senior high competition at Lake Center, which began with the annual hallway decorating contest – an activity that also promotes teamwork and friendship-building among senior high students. The entire week, which included a spiritual growth component, is designed to encourage collaboration among classmates and increase school spirit. 

Senior Kendall Wiff noted, “Spirit Week helps us grow as a class. Even though we have different interests, we are all kind of competitive and unite to win.”

“Spirit week has always been the one thing I look forward to each year,” she added.