Despite the chilly temperature and rainy day, the sixth annual Quest to Unravel Alzheimer Scavenger Hunt took place Friday. QUASH is an hour-long scavenger hunt that took place throughout campus requiring participants to do various challenges. 

Anthony Peavy, junior communication major, experienced QUASH for the first time and acted as an emcee. Peavy liked the overall goal of QUASH and how it raises awareness.

“QUASH helps raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer Associations.  It helps students grasp a better understanding of Alzheimer disease and how it affects the minds and bodies of those with the disease,” said Alicia Hinrickson, senior public relations major. 

“Every 67 seconds, someone is diagnosed with Alzheimer disease. So there are very high chances that everyone knows someone who has been affected by the disease.”

Why bring an event like this to the college community? 

“It gets people involved and brings people together to raise awareness for certain situations,” said Shyanne Nelson, junior actuarial science major.

For Peavy, it was an opportunity to spread awareness about the cause. He hoped that participants would “realize why they’re here.”

“A lot of them are coming for fun, but I want them to take away the fact that they are here for a cause, not just to have fun but to raise money for this, and having fun is just icing on the cake really,” Peavy said.

Teams had themes to their outfits, such as “The Wizard of Oz” or Power Rangers. Others kept it simple with sparkly tutus.

Kelsey Chapman, senior elementary education major, came with a large group from the Wesley Foundation. Their group dressed in “Wizard of Oz” themed costumes for the event, but it wasn’t just about the creative team representation. 

“I feel like in college we worry a lot about ourselves, and it’s just a way for us to think about others and to help others,” Chapman said.

This was Chapman’s first year participating in QUASH. She thought the event would be something new and fun that she could do on campus.

Because the disease affects both the mind and body, six challenges, or QUASHspots, were both mentally challenging, like finding a number on a wall while blindfolded, and physically challenging, like balancing a tennis ball using fishing wire attached to a washer. 

There are opportunities for students to continue spreading awareness through Cedar Falls’ Alzheimer Association, which holds the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. 

Peavy suggested simply remembering QUASH and telling others about the cause. 

“I think . . . it’s not stopping here after this event’s over to keep raising awareness, keep telling people about what they did today, get more people involved and spread the word and make the numbers even bigger next year,” Peavy said. 

“I hope those who are helping us plan the event take away the knowledge that even the small things they are doing make a difference . . . without them we would not be able to help raise money for the Alzheimer Association,“ Hinrickson said.

The overall winning team for this year’s QUASH was team Can’t Stop/Won’t Stop. Proceeds raised went to the Alzheimer Association for care, support and research.