Southern Elementary Scavenger Hunt

By Nila Harris

Since 2019, Southern Elementary’s counselor Johora Paeda and paraprofessional Shawna Higgins have worked together to organize a staff scavenger hunt. The purpose of the hunt is to “get to know each other better, relieve some stress, build friendships, and overall, have fun together,” informed Paeda. Higgins added, “I love participating in them, because it helps build relationships with coworkers new and old. I had a blast!” She is thankful that Ms. Paeda enlists her help in planning the staff morale building activity and hopes to help plan another event in the spring.

The 2023 scavenger hunt took place after school the week before winter break. Staff members were assigned to teams of five or more people, and each team represented a different color as their team’s name: Blue, Pink, White, Purple, Red, Yellow. Each group was given a list of activities to do at school and around the community. Then they had to take a photo of the group performing the task. This year’s group challenges included: a tricycle race wearing a Santa hat, find a snow globe, nativity scene, an abominable snowman, eat cranberry sauce, all fit in one vehicle, sing a Christmas carol to someone in the community and more! There was a get-to-know-you questionnaire with questions like “find someone who played sports in college” and “find someone who was NOT born on the east coast”.

And as if all of this wasn’t fun enough, the staff was treated to a luncheon provided by Trinity Southern Baptist Church, who graciously donated gift cards for the first team to accurately complete all the tasks.

A good time was had by all at this year’s SES Scavenger Hunt. Stay tuned for another creative fun event in the spring.