NerdQuest

NerdQuest is an annual battle between two humanities classes at UGA Term II. This was began by two formidable opponents at UGA term II 2010: Philosophy of Knowledge and Vampires and Zombies. In the end, it was Philosophy of Knowledge that reined supreme. Thusly, the class was honored with the opportunity to name the golden-winged pig that would become the prize for all future NerdQuest victors. They decided, in reverence to their instructor, to name it Porkules. Due to an exodus of many term 2 TIPsters to Term 1 in 2011 the tradition was adopted for term 1 as well. The original two classes from term 1 to participate in this epic battle were the Philosophy of Knowledge, Brain and Creative Writing classes.

The Original NerdQuest Battle

It began with trivia. Vampires and Zombies v. Philosophy of Knowledge on Star Wars. They answered difficult and specific questions. In the end, Philosophy won that round 8 v. 4. Next, Harry Potter trivia. Easy. Both teams tied with nine points. Neither team knew what the spell "Diffindo" does. And so Philosophy lead- 17 v. 13. The final battle. TWILIGHT. Again, a win for Philosophy, but who would want to win when the trivia was based on Twilight? Thus, they were the overall victors of trivia.

RPS (rock, paper, scissors) was next. Everyone opened with rock, but there were many difficulties. Sydney Bronack and Adam Williams were the final two. Adam was behind and thought Sydney may use her fire. He threw water, leading to his defeat. This considered by most as an ignorant move. Sydney won, thusly, and was gloved the Fury of Heaven. She got a cool glove "emblazoned" with her newfound title and everyone was immensely jealous.

Poetry Slam followed. Vincente Perez was opposing Devyn Post. Although Vincente did not boast this, it was a simple win. The judges gave a starting line from Robert Frost's "Into the Woods". Devyn stuttered from the beginning, but she put up a valiant effort and had quite well-formed sentences. In the end, however, Vincente won due to the fact that he had been writing songs and poetry for years.

Tetris, Philosophical Textual Analysis, and Literary Textual Analysis were the proceeding events. Ironically, a Zombie won Philosophical Textual Analysis and a Philosoraptor won Literary Textual Analysis.

The last event was Human Body Sculpture. Most TiPsters questioned the legitimate nerdiness of such an event. Albeit, it was decided that girls twisting their bodies into odd positions was just fine. This event would decide whether or not the Philosoraptors would win. As onlookers snapped photos, the teams first made a model of a sickle and hammer. Philosoraptors won this, though it was questionable why. Next, they modeled a car, and Zombies were the true vicotrs. They won this event. The final round. If only the Philosoraptors won this, they would have won the entire shebang. "Please model a shoe," said Nilay Erten, the Philosophy TA.

The TA made a questionable decision and announced the Philosophy class victors. However, most felt that the Zombies shoe was much better. It was history. JB, the Philosophy Instructor, held the golden, one-winged pig above his head. "What shall we name this?" he bellowed. Some voted Pigasus. Some fancied Porkules. Still others like Herbert (she was shunned). The emblem of NerQuest was thusly, and appropriately, name Porkules. It was heroic, it was TiP, and, most of all, it was inherently sexy.

Philosoraptors

Instructor

John Brittingham (JB)

TA

Nilay Erten

4th Years

Vincente Perez- [someone please enter the title of the poetry slam winner]

Alicia "The Dancer" Mayfield- [title for winner of Human Body sculpture]

Jamil Nayani- [winner of trivia]

Madeline Welsh

3rd Years

Sanchez "Magic Man" Sanchez

Bora "Turkish Rage" Gunay- [title for winner of tetris]

Freddy Argueta

Will Ehrensperger

Michael "The Highlander" Thomson

Archana Vasa- [winner of trivia]

2nd Years

Adam Williams

Sydney Bronack- Fury of Heaven

Patrick "The Mad Hatter" Meek

Natalie Granberry

Meredith Lewter

Marianna "Destroyer of Worlds" Hagler- [winner of Human body sculpture]

Emily Moser- [winner of Human Body Sculpture]

Gabby Rivera

Assia Whats-her-face

Zombies and Vampires

Instructor

Mama Bear

TA

Danny

4th Years

Olivia Archambault

Olivia Colomb

Rachel Thomas

Travis Robertson

Nia McDuell-William

3rd Years

Devyn Post

Sam Gray

Cheyanne Westcott

Julia Wickersham

Taylor

Elaina

Vanessa

2nd Years

Beth "Tail Girl"

Sierra

Noah

Madison

Rebekah

Fabulous Prizes

Every participant received a crown made of golden pipe-cleaners. Some of said crowns were adorned with fake ivy, but most weren't because of the cheap-o TiPeople. In addition, the winners of each game received a prize, as follows:

RPS: A glove emblazoned with "Fury of Heaven". By "emblazoned", it is meant "written with Sharpie".

Poetry Slam: Lobster Cocktail Napkins

Human Body Sculpture: Disney Princess wand

Trivia: A sponge with the word "nerd" written on it

The ultimate prize of the first NerdQuest battle was, of course, naming rights of Porkules. The pig currently resides with Bora Gunay and Freddy Argueta. In all subsequent battles, the prize will be Porkules and, obviously, bragging rights.