West Virginia University students have an opportunity this week to learn more about the state’s Appalachian culture and tradition through Mountaineer Week.

Greek and student organizations can be named “best” through multiple challenges and competitions during Mountaineer Week. Students can represent their organizations to earn bragging rights as the most involved and spirited organization on campus. Events include: Mountaineer Week Challenge, food court contests and a scavenger hunt.

Scavenger hunt

The Mountaineer Week’s annual scavenger hunt takes place on Sunday (Oct. 30) from 1-4 p.m. The scavenger hunt challenges students to identify WVU landmarks on the Downtown Campus.

The scavenger hunt requires teams of four and can include groups of individuals or representatives from student organizations. Each participating team will earn points and compete for the opportunity to be named the winner of Mountaineer Week’s Best Greek and Best Student Organization Awards.

Team registration begins at 12:30 p.m. in the Mountainlair Vandalia Lounge.

For more information, contact scavenger hunt coordinator Natalie Bryant at nbryant@mix.wvu.edu.

Mountaineer Week Challenge

The Mountaineer Week Challenge, presented by MedExpress, will take place Tuesday (Nov. 1) from 7-9 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms.

The challenge consists of various Appalachian-inspired activities and games, including apple bobbing, sack races and pie-eating contests. The PRT cram, one of WVU’s most popular traditions, will also be featured at the Challenge.

“The PRT Cram is one of the student events for Mountaineer Week that carries a lot of history and tradition. When the PRT system came to WVU in 1975, the annual Mountaineer Week PRT Cram began,” said Sonja Wilson, Mountaineer Week advisor. “Throughout the years, thousands of WVU students have enjoyed this yearly event of squeezing themselves into a PRT car to see how many students their respective organizations can gather for the overall points.”

For more information, contact Laura Mathern at lmathern@mix.wvu.edu.

Food court competition

The annual Mountaineer Week food court competition will take place Thursday (Nov. 3) from noon to 2 p.m. in the Mountainlair. Chick-fil-A, Sbarro and Burger King participate and sponsor the contest.

The competition consists of three events: a trivia competition sponsored by Chick-fil-A, pizza toss and box folding contests sponsored by Sbarro and a pie-eating contest sponsored by Burger King. The winning team of each event will receive a prize.

“My favorite part of the food court competition is just watching everyone have a good time,” said Shelbie Straughn, student coordinator for the contests.

Mountaineer Week teams representing student organizations can earn points for participating in and winning the contests. However, students who do not belong to any of these organizations are welcome to form a team and participate, as well.

For more information, contact Straughn at sstraugh@mix.wvu.edu.

Mountaineer Week is an annual celebration of West Virginia’s rich Appalachian heritage and traditions. The activities serve to remind and educate WVU students about the culture that has made West Virginia what it is today. This fall, the festival commemorates its 64th year. For a complete schedule of events, visit the Mountaineer Week website at http://mountaineerweek.wvu.edu/events.

Mountaineer Week is a great time to remember days gone by. Share with us your own WVU memories through the University’s Heritage Project. Do you have a special recollection from Mountaineer Week? Tell us at http://heritageproject.wvu.edu/share_a_message.

-WVU-

ps/sr/10/18/11

CONTACT: Sonja Wilson, Mountaineer Week Advisor
304-293-2702, Sonja.Wilson@mail.wvu.edu

Follow @WVUToday on Twitter.