On Friday, February 21, 2020, the UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club and the UW-Whitewater Student Optimist Club hosted the 7th Annual Optimist Trivia Night to raise funds for local community organizations. The event was held at UW-Whitewater in the Hamilton Room of the University Center from 7 – 10pm. Twenty-three teams – consisting of eight to ten members each – enjoyed ten full rounds of a variety of trivia questions, “brain food”, laughter, beverages, and raffle prizes. Questions ensured to test the participants’ history, movie, sports, pop culture, music, and academic knowledge. 

The Optimists could not have accomplished this large event alone. The event had the support of many local businesses serving as sponsors of individual trivia rounds, food, the “Friend of Youth” child care program, and bucket raffle items. The event was facilitated by over 40 volunteers.

The donated raffle baskets, participants, prize wheel, and sponsors led to just over $11,000 in gross proceeds for this year’s Trivia Night. The UW-Whitewater Student Optimist Club has donated their share of proceeds to the following organizations: (1) $125 to the “Warhawks Inspired” Scholarship for students with disabilities; (2) $200 to the UC Student Success Campaign for UC student employee professional development; (3) $2000 to the Whitewater Unified School District Family Emergency Fund; (4) $450 to the Whitewater Food Pantry; (5) $250 to the Whitewater Community Space; (6) $500 – $700 to the Lincoln Elementary Courtyard Project (to be donated in Fall 2020).

In addition, the Service Learning and Leadership Seminar course, taught by Kim Adams, has been partnering with the UW-Whitewater Student Optimist Club to create tie-blankets and birthday boxes to be donated to the Whitewater Community Space and the Whitewater Food Pantry. Several boxes of food collected at Optimist Trivia Night were also donated to the Whitewater Community Space and the Warhawk Pantry. In the future, the Student Optimist Club hopes to make a donation to the Warhawk Emergency Fund. On behalf of the Student Optimist Club and the Service Learning Seminar, we thank the community for their support.

The UW-Whitewater Student Optimist Club presents a $125 check to the “Warhawks Inspired” Scholarship founder, Thomas Hamilton. Left to right: Stephanie Lutz, Alyssa Prodoehl, Ryan Shervey, Brooke Woodbury, Thomas Hamilton, Kim Adams, Heather Dennis. 

The UW-Whitewater Student Optimist Club presents a $200 check to the UC Student Success Campaign. Left to right: Stephanie Lutz, Alyssa Prodoehl, Ryan Shervey, Brooke Woodbury, Kim Adams, Heather Dennis.

UW-Whitewater Student Optimist Club Treasurer – Brooke Woodbury – poses with three checks prior to mailing them to their respective organizations.