By Ranny Ma & Deren Kudeki

Gargoyle staff reporters


Posted Monday, April 9, 2007, The OG, news

[April 11 update: The junior-hosted debate contest, originally scheduled for April 27 (see official Student Council minutes from March 29), has been moved to Friday of this week. The event is called “Clash of Ideas: A Casual Debate” and will take place during lunch in the first-floor hallway. The topic is: Should the sale of Chief Illiniwek merchandise end? Should legislation be passed against it as a hate symbol? Or should it remain? Please note that some of the Class War events are still sketchy in their details, and the time, place, and exact nature of the contests are subject to last-minute change.]

WHEN SOPHOMORE PRESIDENT Isaac Chambers came up with the idea for Class Wars several months ago, he wanted to build on the success of X-Week, Uni's annual weeklong series of fund-raising events held in early May.

He saw Class Wars as way to provide another outlet for friendly class competition while helping to raise money for a good cause.

This week Class Wars will officially get under way. The first two events are organized by the freshman class: an eating contest on Wednesday, and a baking contest on Thursday.

Class Wars is a series of competitions sponsored by Student Council that will take place until April 27.

Each class will run two contests apiece, and students will be given the opportunity to participate in competitions involving poetry, debate, chess, and even old favorites like Twister and Candy Land.

By the end of the competitions, one class will be declared the winner.

In its March 15 meeting, Student Council approved (by a vote of 9-3, with 3 abstentions) giving $20 to charity for every point accumulated by the winning class. According to Chambers, the specific charity has yet to be designated.

The victorious class will also receive an award of some kind (to be determined), according to Chambers. At the very least, class members will receive a Papa Del's pizza party; Student Council approved that by a unanimous vote, also on March 15.

Here is the schedule of competitions.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11: EATING CONTEST (host: freshman class)

How much of Jimmy John's “day old bread” can people stomach? We'll find out Wednesday during lunch in Room 205. One participant per class will be selected at random and notified Tuesday. The competitors will be judged on both the speed and style of their eating.

THURSDAY, APRIL 12: BAKING CONTEST (host: freshman class)

Scarfing down plain ol' bread not your thing? How about baking cookies? Two participants per class will bake any type of cookie they want and submit them to a panel of three judges. The judging will take place Thursday during lunch in Room 205. Cookies will be judged on their appearance, taste, and texture. Participants will be selected at random and notified Tuesday.

FRIDAY, APRIL 13: CANDY LAND CONTEST (host: senior class)

You remember the Candy Land board game, right? Well, after much debate, the senior class has decided to host a Candy Land contest Friday during lunch in Room 106N. This replaces the previously announced Ultimate Frisbee tournament. One student per class will compete. But be warned: Senior Bethany Hutchens has already boasted of her mad Candy Land skills. Challenge her if you dare.

FRIDAY, APRIL 13: DEBATE CONTEST (host: junior class)

See update above.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18: MUSIC CONTEST (host: subfreshman class)

Calling all musicians. See how you stack up against your peers April 18 during lunch in the South Attic. Music teacher Rick Murphy will judge all performances. First, participants from each class will perform, going from seniors down through subbies. Once a winner has been chosen from each class, they will compete against each other until a final winner is decided. Participants can perform solo pieces or be in groups of up to four.

THURSDAY, APRIL 19: CHESS CONTEST (host: sophomore class)

If the other competitions aren't cerebral enough for you, here comes old reliable to the rescue: chess. You don't have to be a member of Uni's stellar chess team to compete, although it wouldn't hurt. As with some of the other contests, a few details remain to be worked out, such as location. But keep your lunchtime free on this day if you want to participate in — or just watch — some high-caliber gamesmanship.

MONDAY, APRIL 23: TWISTER CONTEST (host: subfreshman class)

OK, now this is a contest we can get excited about. Break out those Twister skills you honed during childhood and bring them to the North Attic during lunch on April 23. For those who missed out on this classic while growing up, here's how it works: Place a specified hand or foot onto a specific colored circle. Other contestants may be blocking the most direct path to the circle, so players are forced to twist and contort their bodies to achieve their goal. A contestant who falls down is out. The winner of the contest is simply the last player standing — however twisted he or she may be.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (DEADLINE): PHOTO CONTEST (host: sophomore class)

Think you have an eye for photography? Give this contest a try. Students may submit up to two photos apiece. Photos should be sent to Isaac Chambers at ichamber@gmail.com by April 24. The photos may not be digitally manipulated with the exception of color adjustments or cropping. A panel of teachers will decide the winner.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (DEADLINE): POETRY CONTEST (host: junior class)

Have a gift for verse? Submit your poetry by April 24. Your entry can double as a submission to Unique.

TUESDAY, APRIL 24 (DEADLINE): WRITING CONTEST (host: senior class)

Do you prefer writing prose over poetry? If so, the seniors have you covered. Submit your prose work by April 24. As with poetry, your entry can double as a submission to Unique.

[Postscript: Please note that some of the Class War events are still sketchy in their details, and the time, place, and exact nature of the contests are subject to last-minute change.]

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