Love Creek, Beacon students take on state police in kickball

The grounds of Beacon Middle and Love Creek Elementary echoed with cheers, groans and the occasional wisecrack May 19, as students challenged members of the Delaware State Police in an annual end-of-year competitive kickball contest.

Cpl. Patrick Jackson said the games originated in 2021 as a way to get kids outside during the pandemic and celebrate fifth-graders as they prepare to leave elementary for middle school. 

For the first time this year, the games extended to students at Beacon Middle, where troopers played against students in a lively match. 

The interaction is not only fun for all, but also helps officers build relationships with young adults, Jackson said.

“It’s a fun and impactful thing to do, and I hope we keep doing it every year,” Jackson said. “There’s nothing but positive stuff coming out of it.”