AEF Trivia Bee Raises $7,100

‘Foxes in Soxes’ from Friends of the Fox Library Crowned Champs

For over ten years, swarms of teams clad in creative costumes have buzzed down to Town Hall for the annual Arlington Education Foundation Trivia Bee to test their trivia knowledge.  The annual event has become a community tradition, and this year, ‘Foxes in Soxes’ (Bryan Sinche, Phil Veatch, Alan Frank), a team of sly supporters of the Friends of the Fox Library, carried away the coveted 2014 Trivia Bee crown.  ‘Jangerous Minds’ a young-at-heart team from Arlington High School (including principal Matthew Janger), dressed head to toe as Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore, came in second, and also won the prize for best costumes.

A few questions stumped participants, including “Although it was only about 10 miles away, what ship did not respond to the Titanic’s distress calls because its radio was turned off?” Answer:  the Californian, although one team’s creative answer was the ‘USS Slowpoke.’   In addition to testing trivia knowledge, the event also tests engineering know-how.  One of this year’s design challenges required teams to build the tallest index card tower that could hold a stuffed animal.  Audience volunteers participated in the design challenge too trying to beat the teams. 

The event raised $7,100.  All proceeds directly fund Arlington Education Foundation’s work in the Arlington Public Schools. Twenty-three teams competed for the much sought after Trivia Bee crown, representing the Arlington Advocate, Arlington Children’s Theater, Arlington Democratic Town Committee, Arlington Education Association, Arlington Family Connection, Arlington High School, Board of Selectmen, Brackett School, Calvary Church, Cub Scout Pack 306, Dallin School, Educatius International, Freud Squad (an independent team), Friends of the Fox Library, Friends of the Robbins Library, Northeast Angels Women’s Hockey Team, Little Fox Shop, Peirce School, Philharmonic Society of Arlington Orchestra, School Committee, Stratton School, and Whole Foods.

This year’s sponsors included Brookline Bank, Watertown Savings Bank, Belmont Orthodontics, Belmont Pediatric Dentistry, Zipwall Dust Barrier Systems, East Cambridge Savings Bank, Winchester Savings Bank, Leone & Leone Attorneys at Law, Rockland Trust, Cambridge Savings Bank, Sweeney & O’Connell Real Estate, Arlington Children’s Center, Arlington Swifty Printing, American Alarm and Communications, and The Balich Corp.  

AEF funds system wide initiatives and creative new projects to enhance the educational experience of Arlington’s teachers and students. For the past three years, community donations enabled AEF to award nearly $100,000 annually in grants to the Arlington Public Schools.

AEF’s next community event is a Technology Showcase on May 5th, from 6-8pm in the High School Media Center.  In partnership with the Arlington Public Schools, the event will showcase K-12 technology implementations and feature a presentation by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Laura Chesson on her vision of technology in the Arlington Schools.  

For more information on Arlington Education Foundation and their grants, visit www.arlingtoneducationfoundationma.org.