Students ready to hunt for the gold

Searching for the Homecoming medallion is something that Shelby Township sophomore Sarah Scalici has been anticipating for weeks now. After barely missing the medallion last year, Scalici is back for more.

Each year, hundreds of students search every nook and cranny on campus in hunt for the medallion. Clues are given out at 9 p.m. each night during Homecoming week. Actors, defined as keepers of the clues, provide clues and more in depth information regarding the medallion’s location leave their positions on campus at 10:30 p.m. each night. Clues can be found on twitter, the medallion hunt Facebook page and on OrgSync.

The hunt was created in 2003 by an assistant director of Student Life who wanted to create a homecoming event that would be both fun and challenging.

Scalici is excited to continue the hunt as a part of Beddows Hall this year. Searching for the medallion has brought her closer with the members of her residence hall, but also helps her gain a sense of CMU pride and spirit.

“I’m participating mainly for two reasons. One being that I am the most competitive person I know, so it’s kind of a pride factor,” she said. “Two, it really does build community. When you are so stressed out and you stay out until midnight with random people that you don’t know well, you have this camaraderie. The hunt amps you up, and you build up a little family and community within your hall.”

Members of Beddows Hall will be grouping up into teams to tackle the medallion hunt. Each night the groups will plan their hunting process and create effective strategies.

Planning future moves and possible medallion locations is only a small part of the strategic process.

“The most exciting part is the actor aspect, because you look like a maniac walking up to random people on campus and talking to them and it’s hard to believe whether they are an actor or not,” she said. “It’s also an adrenaline thing, I’ll be making plans all day and then bring them up to our meetings each night.”

The bonding experience is what Shelby Township sophomore Makenzie Furber enjoys the most about the hunt. Being able to come together and spend nights with her friends and roommates in search of one goal has made her student life at CMU that much more worthwhile.

“I participated in the hunt last year and I would like to do it as many days as I can this year. I didn’t understand how much fun it would be originally,” Furber said. “Hanging with all of my roommates is a lot of fun, the mystery behind the clues makes it fun as well. It’s a great bonding experience.”

River Rouge sophomore Amy Wilson is looking forward to hearing the clues come out each night and making plans to find the medallion. Being able to work as a team has made it easier and a lot of fun when it comes to searching for the medallion, she said.

“It’s nice getting to know the people in your hall,” Wilson said. “When all of the new clues come out, people get really excited. The thought of winning is what keeps me going.”

Keep up with Central Michigan Life throughout the week as we follow students and their hunt for the elusive medallion.