"Winging It"
Year: 2022
Award Level: Silver
Award Winner(s): Swarthmore College
Award: Circle of Excellence
Category: Writing | News/Feature (1,000+ words)
From the Nominator
"What began as an elaborate prank in the 1980s has evolved into one of Swarthmore's quirkiest and most beloved traditions: the Pterodactyl Hunt. Part treasure hunt, part live-action role-playing game, the hunt is wholly Swarthmore, drawing students of all stripes on a mission to slay monsters—or to serve as mythical creatures themselves. For this story, I tracked down the origins of the event by speaking with the students behind the hoax. Although their memories have faded over 40 years, they all agree that at the heart of the hunt is a reminder to balance college seriousness with occasional silliness."
From the Judges
Fun, creative, and light-hearted. Judges all agreed that the presentation and narrative were fantastic.