Palos South Family Trivia Night Sparks Fun and Competition

What is the sport of exploring caves? If your answer was “spelunking” you would have excelled at Palos South Student Council's 7th annual Family Trivia Night on February 28. South's cafeteria vibrated with chatter and music as their successful event drew 28 teams of over 250 participants.

Palos 118 staff and students from East, West, and South schools played through six rounds of 10 questions from topics relating to science, literature, history, and pop-culture that were projected on the screen. Additionally there were three sets of paper puzzles; university colors, color riddles, and movie songs; 10 questions in the greedy round with double points for correct answers and no points if any wrong answers were submitted.

Teams deposited their cell phones in a basket at the center of each table and got to work. South alumni from the class of 2016 “No Accounting for Taste” took first place; Arjun Kumar, Jeffrey Korbitz, Jack Stopka (South class of 2016 now attending Stagg), Megan Mathers, and Steve Swan. The “Minds Without Borders” parent/student team earned second place; Nate Tran (8th grade South), Aaron Jackiw (7th grade South), Doug Tran, Judy Tran, Steve Zumerchik, Nicolai Zumerchik, Deb Jones, Jack Jones, Jean Jackiw, and John Jackiw.

Over 22 South staff members and volunteers participated by sponsoring teams, judging, scoring, and selling split the pot tickets. South teachers Mrs. Maureen Murphy and Ms. Lori Swan are South Student Council Sponsors and media specialist Mrs. Gina Shem helped coordinate the event. “Our student council enjoyed putting the event together. It is a great way to have fun and raise funds,” said Swan. “We’re very fortunate Mrs. Shem had the inspiration to bring Trivia Night to our district seven years ago, and this popular event could not be done without her.”

Teams brought their own food and drinks and some teams even had themes to go along with their team names. Additionally, Palos East Student Council once again provided support by selling beverages at the event.

Proceeds from the event will help support Student Council's trip to the Illinois Association of Junior High Student Council's (IAJHSC) convention in Springfield. Funds will also go towards supporting Camp Sheilah, for youth ages 7 - 17 who lost a parent or sibling to homicide. This camp is sponsored by the Sheilah A. Doyle Foundation, whose children attended Palos 118.