Associated Student Government hosted the second annual Stinger Showdown on Oct. 23rd at the Emporia State Prophet Aquatic Research and Outreach Center (PAROC) with students, faculty, and staff from each of the ten schools represented. The event was spearheaded by ASG’s Campus & Community Relations Committee Chair and senior secondary education major, Alyssa Cole.
The 2 hour event was much larger than it was when held for the first time in the Spring of 2023. Events included a relay race, trivia, tug-of-war, and more. Every person participating received a free dinner and most were given a t-shirt in the designated color of their school.
With the reorganization of schools this school year, it was decided that more awards would be created to give schools a better chance of winning something. These new awards were given as follows: Sportsmanship Award – School of Interdisciplinary Studies; Loudest Award – School of Humanities & Social Sciences; Rookie Award – School of Visual & Performing Arts; Most Energetic Faculty and Staff Award – The Teachers College; Spirit Award – The Honors College. In addition to these, the three top scoring teams were awarded. The School of Interdisciplinary Studies won 3rd place with 31 points, the Graduate School came in second with 36, and the winner of the Fall 2023 Stinger Showdown was the Honors College, having earned 40 points in total.
“We were just here to have a blast! We had no game plan,” said Freshman Alexis Hatvick of the Honors College, moments after receiving their 1st place trophy.
The team agreed that the relay race was one of their favorite events, and trivia against the Graduate School was the most challenging. Dr. Gary Wyatt, Associate Provost and Dean of the Honors College, commented that “everyone pulled together, had a lot of fun, and supported each other” in order to take the win.
“The purpose of this (event) when we originally started it was to help push connections between the administration, faculty, staff, and students,” Cole said. “Now, we have seen it as a way for students to find their own place at ESU as well where they can interact and bond with the rest of their college.”
She said the latter has shown through the numerous students who participated again after last year.
Cole and the rest of ASG hope that Stinger Showdown will continue to be a large, successful event year after year.