Santa Maria Sun / News

A trivia contest for a not-so-trivial cause

BY PAMELLA WOOD

Question: What international organization with clubs in 80 nations worldwide has been bringing aid to children in need since 1915? Answer: The Kiwanis.

If you are a trivia buff and want a chance to test your skills and raise money for Kiwanis at the same time, put together a team of up to four people and sign up for the club’s 16th annual trivia contest. The competition will take place on Feb. 16 at the Abel Maldonado Youth Center from 1 to 3 p.m.

Made by VTC: Employees at VTC display one of the trophies being created for the winners of the Kiwanis Trivia Contest. Proceeds from the contest will go into the VTC building fund. PHOTO BY PAMELLA WOOD

The entry fee for the event ($80 for adult teams, $40 for high school teams) will be donated to the building fund for the new QLS (Quality Life Services) building, an 18,600-square-foot state-of-the-art building being built at the Vocational Training Center on A Street off of Betteravia Road in Santa Maria.

“The Kiwanis club has committed to donating three years of proceeds of the trivia contest to the VTC building fund, which are expected to total $10,000. The VTC runs an excellent program providing vocational training for handicapped adults, and we’re pleased to offer our ongoing support,” said Suzanne Levy, Kiwanis member and chairperson for the event.

Last year, a total of 52 teams, including eight high school teams, participated in the contest. Santa Maria, Pioneer Valley, St. Joseph, and  Orcutt Academy high schools, and the Key Club at the Maldonado Youth Center have already signed up for this year’s competition. The contest has traditionally been held at the Boys and Girls Club, but the event outgrew that location and will be held at the Abel Maldonado center for the first time. The contest attracts teams from all walks of the community, including local businesses, nonprofit organizations, other service clubs, banks, and more. There’s no charge for spectators who wish to attend, and refreshments are available.

The questions for the contest are compiled by Don Brister, former executive at VTC who started the contest in 1996. He comes up with 50 questions in categories such as science, history, sports, art, entertainment, etc. The list of questions is given to all the competing groups at the same time, and they go to work as a team answering them. Last year, the winning team correctly answered 37 out of the 50 questions. All teams are given the same questions, with the high school teams competing against each other.

Contestants vie for first-, second-, and third-place trophies, as well as for the coveted traveling trophy, which is engraved with the winners’ names and is theirs to keep for a year.

Another question: What organization is making the trophies for the winners? Answer: The Vocational Training Center. VTC is also providing food and catering for the event, as well as printing services. Sounds like an excellent example of community partnership and support, and one that deserves a trophy, too!

Registration forms can be downloaded from the Kiwanis website at santamariakiwanis.com. At the left side of the screen, click on Trivia Contest and follow the link. The target deadline for registration is Feb. 16, though later sign-ups can be accommodated. For more information, contact Suzanne Levy at slevy93455@gmail.com or call her at 934-0477.  The Abel Maldonado Youth Center is at 600 S. McClelland St. in Santa Maria.

Intern Pamella Wood compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.