By Anastasia Benstead, Assistant Editor-in-Chief
Race of the rubber ducks – Photo by Joel Grimsley
The Aquinas Chemistry Society (ACS), Geography and Environmental Science Club, AED/Pre-health club and Student Nursing Association (SNA) hosted the third annual Duck Race on Wednesday, April 9 from 5-6:30 p.m..
Duck Race poster – Photo by Aquinas Geography and Environmental Science Instagram
While this is the third year that ACS has put on this event, the Geography and Environmental Science Club has been assisting in the planning for the past two, and this is the first time ever that it has been a collaboration amongst all of the STEM clubs. “I think it was a great idea to collaborate with all the STEM clubs to organize the event,” senior Kikka Go said. “It was more organized and smoother, at least on my end.”
A lot of set up went into the event. There was a small tent near Albertus and volunteers were needed to be duck chasers, willing to collect the ducks after the race. “It’s fun to put on the waders and chase the ducks,” sophomore Matthew Sloan, one of the organizers of the race, said.
Volunteers starting the race – Photo by Joel Grimsley
Dozens of people participated in the race, including staff, faculty, students and even some locals. It began on the small bridge behind the Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel and ended at Wege Pond. Ducks could be purchased multiple days in advance for the cost of $3 for one or $20 for seven rubber ducks. “I think the total ducks sold was like 244,” Go said. “And we raised somewhere around $700.” All of the money raised contributes to a scholarship and grant system. “[This] funds research opportunities for students majoring or minoring in STEM disciplines,” Sloan said.
Winners were determined by both speed and completion. A significant amount of the ducks were swept away by the strong current directly into the banks of the creek where they got stuck in the debris. The recent rains meant the creek was flowing much faster than its normal rate. While the current made it more difficult for some of the sucks to travel downstream, it also assisted many with speed.
“I think this year was a lot more exciting than others,” Go said. “Probably because the ducks reached the finish line faster than previous years because there was more water in the stream.”
Hosting the third annual Duck Race was not without some minor hesitations. “I was a little worried about the goose,” Sloan said. This was in reference to an aggressive goose which was nested in Wege pond. “Fortunately, it did not interfere with any contestants,” Sloan said.
The swiftest duck of the evening was number 294 belonging to junior Joel Grimsley. To celebrate the success of the event Professor Boyd ended the race by jumping onto an inflatable duck in Wege pond, where he did not fall in nor was he chased by the Goose.
Boyd takes a ride down the stream in his duck inner tube – Photo by Joel Grimsley
The Saint 