Summary

The VT Hunt, notated with the symbol ᚖᚌᚖ, is a unique annual puzzle hunt that takes place at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, popularly known as Virginia Tech. The competition typically attracts hundreds to thousands of participants each year. For example, the 2019 Hunt saw approximately 1800 participants forming around 550 teams, with team sizes ranging from one to ten members. However, the completion rate that year was just 12.3%, highlighting the challenge and complexity of the competitions.

The timing of the event's commencement isn't fixed, but symbols typically start appearing throughout the campus and on social media one week prior to its beginning. The Hunt officially kicks off at midnight seven days after the first symbol or flyer is found, when the figurehead of the host organization, the Septagram Society, places the first clue below Burrus Hall.

The inaugural VT Hunt was organized and launched by Jamie Simon, a then-undergraduate physics and ESM student, and Bennett Witcher, a graduate aerospace engineering student in 2018. The first Hunt featured a barrage of fluorescent-colored flyers sprinkled throughout the university, showcasing a geographic puzzle and the ᚖᚌᚖ logo. The Hunt typically consists of 13 clues, with the initial flyers included in the count. These clues, which lead participants all over the campus, provide hints to the next riddle. Winners of the VT Hunt are awarded an acrylic laser-etched trophy and other undisclosed awards.

The puzzles in the VT Hunt are usually abstract and span a broad range of locations and challenges. Past puzzle solutions have included Morse code using long and short vowels, a song on a guitar that spelled out a word on the grid of the fretboard, mapping countries to top-level domain codes to the periodic table, a temporary local radio station, an electronically augmented piano that revealed secrets when the right tune was played, and a clue hidden on an island in the middle of the Duck Pond.

One notable aspect of the VT Hunt is its philanthropic facet. Participants are encouraged to donate while competing, and the Hunt has raised thousands of dollars for various charities over the years. In 2019, the VT Hunt team raised $6,500 for Relay for Life, in addition to $500 in individual donations on its behalf. In 2020, more than $4,500 was raised and donated to a handful of organizations, including New River Community Action and Direct Relief for Ukraine.

My Involvement

I was a prominent figure in the creation and evolution of the VT Hunt and the Septagram Society. My journey with these organizations began in 2018 when my team and I achieved first place in the inaugural VT Hunt. This was not just a victory; it served as a gateway to a unique opportunity: a meeting with the elusive founders of the event. This face-to-face interaction allowed my team and I to gain invaluable insights into the ingenuity and organizational strategy behind the VT Hunt.

In the aftermath of the event, my team and I found ourselves in a larger collective comprising other top performers from the 2018 Hunt. Recognizing the potential that lay within this group, I took the initiative to bring everyone together. This coordination resulted in the establishment of what we now know as the Septagram Society, an organization dedicated to fostering a culture of problem-solving, creativity, and charitable giving at Virginia Tech.

As a founding member and key coordinator of the Septagram Society, I played an instrumental role in transforming the VT Hunt from a one-off event into an annual celebration of intellectual curiosity and teamwork. The enthusiasm and eagerness that the VT Hunt generated inspired us to create the VT Haunt, a smaller Halloween event that provided additional opportunities for puzzle enthusiasts to showcase their skills.

One of my significant contributions was in turning the VT Hunt into a global marketing sensation. Leveraging my expertise in product strategy and marketing, I worked to increase the visibility and appeal of our events beyond the boundaries of Virginia Tech. The result was a significant expansion in our participant base, attracting competitors not only from different parts of the country but also from around the world.

In 2019 and 2020, I led the coordination of the VT Hunt, overseeing all aspects of the event from puzzle creation to marketing and execution. These experiences not only honed my skills in project management but also underscored the power of community engagement and philanthropy, as we raised substantial funds for various charitable organizations through our events.

Throughout my tenure with the Septagram Society, my focus has always been on fostering a sense of community, inspiring intellectual challenge, and promoting philanthropy. And as we continue to evolve and grow, these core principles remain at the heart of all our endeavors.

VT Hunt ᚖᚌᚖ | Charity Puzzle Hunt