Written by Work Study student Kathryn Burch
On a night when the skies were gray, The Amazing Race provided a ray of light and exhilaration for the members of the MV Explorer. The Amazing Race, which was compiled of 60 teams of 8 people each, was held on Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m.
Teams included students, faculty, staff, children, and life-long learners. Essentially a scavenger hunt around the ship, The Amazing race provided teams with envelopes filled with 18 clues, riddles, crossword puzzles, and other various hints about the history of Semester at Sea as well as information about the MV Explorer. The teams began in the Union where the rules were given, including “no running” and “no cheating.” After the rules were given, a stampede of teams traveled through the glass doors and into the depths of the ship. The ship rocked back and forth as teams rushed from one end to the other. Although the teams were quite serious in finding the answers to their clues, the intensity of the competition was dampened by quick doses of humor, with team names such as “The Stache,” who had prepared for the race by drawing mustaches on their upper lips. Other team names included “Unicorns of the Sea,” “Winning” and “Shake and Bake.” 
The level of excitement increased throughout the night, especially when the race administrators announced that the winners would be the first off the ship in Barcelona. “Some of the clues were really tough, but it was so much fun and a great way to learn more about both Semester at Sea and my classmates,” said student Kelsey Stone of Lexington, Kentucky. While other teams faltered in the face of adversity, it became clear that some teams were front-runners. Finally, after what seemed like hours of cut-throat competition, the winning team, titled “Drew’s Ladies,” was announced via the PA system on the ship.
Congratulations to all who participated!
