A surprising trend has taken over the lunch breaks and free periods at Paideia: hacky sacking.
Students from all grades and backgrounds come together in circles of friendly competition, each of them striving for a full sack, yet achieving so much more.
Milo Cannon ’25, Wade Tolbert ’25 and Will Gillett ’25 deem themselves the “GodFathers” of sacking.
What started out as a small group of students casually passing around a foot bag has quickly become a staple in the Paideia community. “It started in short term, and we just couldn’t stop sacking. It was all we wanted to do,” Gillett said.
The game is simple: a small, lightweight foot bag is kicked between players in a circle, with the goal of keeping it off the ground for as long as possible.
There are no winners or losers, just a collective effort to keep the sack in motion. This casual, low stakes nature has made hacky sacking an easy and inclusive activity for students looking to unwind and connect.
The high school community is sometimes known for being clique-y, with everyone resigned to their specific friend group.
However, sacking has torn down the barriers that separate the student body and formed unexpected connections.
“It’s a lot of people that I might’ve never talked to,” Cannon says, “and then next thing I know I’m doing backshots with them.”
As the hacky sack phenomenon continues to grow, students are already talking about organizing tournaments and teaching newcomers new tricks and techniques.
Whether it’s a short game between class or a dedicated lunchtime gathering, one thing is clear: hacky sacking is more than just a trend—it’s a movement bringing students together one kick at a time.
“Once you buy your first sack, you’re already too far gone. There’s no turning back,” Gillett said.
