HISTORY OF THE HUNT
1920 was an interesting year for Beau Brumblin and Domenico Parisi. Parisi, a recent Italian immigrant and then house captain of Snowpex came to the states not only to discover the new world but also at the request of the aging Wilbur Wright. The then house captain of Pandor was tiring of the trans-Atlantic flights and wanted to have the 1920 house hunt in the states.
When Parisi settled in what is now known as Greenwich Village, he met a snappy young entrepreneur by the name of Beau Brumblin. The two initially became friends through their love of Italian Coffee; specifically, the Cappucino which had yet to come to the states. Beau was subsequently invited to join the 1920 house hunt as a special guest of Snowpex house but soon became so enthusiastic about the rules and the shenanigans that he formed his own house barely a year after in 1921.
Though Beau’s new presence in the house hunt was always rather divicive, Parisi remained his steadfast friend and lifelong advocate, eventually becoming inspired to bring the first Cappucino machine to New York City and open cafe Reggio, which is still in operation today and retains much of the original antique decor originally selected by Brumblin himself.
The Founding Fathers
The Free Mason society was not the only secret society the Founding Fathers participated in. Several members of the original Continental Congress employed their European connections to become embroiled in the House Hunt. Benjamin Franklin was one of the most notable House Hunt members of his time. He was famously the first American to be admitted to the hunt. He used his creativity and unparalleled intuition and scientific drive to rise in the ranks of Snowpex until he was eventually declared Snowpex House Captain. His many visits to France over the years were not only spent in lavish political settings but also unraveling the mysteries of the house hunt with his fellow Snowpex members. The Benjamin Franklin era of house Snowpex was one of the only times in history when the house consistently dominated the Hunt. In later years, Alexander Hamilton followed his footsteps to join house Legendaw in 1795. By all accounts, he was poised to ascend to the rank of House captain by 1797, however, the subsequent publishing of the Reynolds Pamphlet revealing his infidelity to his wife, Eliza promptly took him out of the running. Additionally, Aaron Burr's rejected appeal to join House Legendaw served to further drive a wedge between him and Hamilton, eventually leading to the infamous duel in which Hamilton tragically lost his life. With the benefit of hindsight, it is clear that Burr would have been a perfect fit for Brumblin and if Burr had been around a mere century later, he would have been instrumental in the formation of House Brumblin. However, the poor soul was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The Wright Brothers
Orville and Wilbur Wright are two of the most notable House Hunt captains in recent history. This powerhouse duo dominated the hunt for the beginning years of the 20th century. With Orville leading House Legendaw, and Wilbur leading house Pandor, there was little to stifle the remarkable ingenuity of these two historic house figures. The House Hunt of 1904 was a particularly notable season as it was the first time the Wright brothers employed the use of their new invention - the airplane. This innovation led to a thrilling heist during the last task of the hunt, leading Pandor to their first victory since Julias Pandor retired from the House Hunt in 1872. Shenanigans were at an all-time high in the hunts of 1904, 1905, and 1906 when their newly invented airplanes were eventually banned from the hunt due to the excessive property damage they incurred.
The Hunt of 2021
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Ladies and gentlemen, we have all gathered here today to celebrate the excellence and perseverance of the four great houses of our esteemed institution. Every year the strongest members of the Education Without Walls community gather for a great scavenger hunt and mystery game known as the House Hunt. The students are sorted into the four historic houses Legendaw, Pandor, Brumblin, and Snowpex. These four Houses compete for the title of house champion by completing puzzles, locating clues, enduring physical activities, and showing grit in the face of adversity. This year our four houses were led by the 2021 house captains, Brenden Parker of house pandor, Zakariya Dempster of house Legendaw, Henry Steen of house snowpex, and Virginia Steen of house Brumblin.
The House Hunt, originally begun by Leopold Legendaw in 1398 was carried on in previous years by alumni Max Ringer. After his graduation the Hunt faded into the mists of time, only to be resurrected by me with the help of former Legendaw and Snowpex House Captains, Tucker Thowless Webb Coughlin and Campbell Delany Lee Coughlin. Through the winter, much anticipation grew as all were sorted and small clues and lore were posted to the official house hunt website.
The return of the house hunt was a thrilling venture. Of course, this was only to be expected given the caliber and commitment of our house members this year. Artifacts were won and lost, alliances formed and dissolved, and many shenanigans ensued.
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Before we announce the final standings, it must be stated that each house was in first place at one point or another during the final task. It was truly anyone’s game and all participated with valor, honor, and grit. As such, we would like to give special recognition to some of the most standout hunters this past spring.
Firstly Henry Steen, house captain of Snowpex, for carrying the often dejected house of Snopwex through much of the hunt and his many athletic maneuvers including several table vaults throughout the course hunt. Snowpex, while having the least active members, gave all other teams a run for their money through the sheer willpower of Mr. Steen. Second for Broghan Dowler of Pandor, who on numerous occasions looked out for his fellow hunters in all houses. Broghan showed compassion and was committed to keeping the hunt fair and fun for all involved. All the while keeping a competitive spirit and exemplary decorum. Mr. Dowler had the perfect balance of merciless energy, house spirit, infectious enthusiasm, and an inclusive attitude. Credit must also be given to Zakariya Dempster of Legendaw whose exile and eventual return after the Great Box Controversy can only be described as redemption at its finest. According to House Lore as recorded by Max Ringer, “A darker side develops in Legendaws more heavily in late adolescence and they do not always handle this transition well.” Mr. Dempster however is an exemplary model for all Legendaws who encounter this dark side, now and yet to come, for his graceful return to the hunt and ultimate retrieval of one of the final two artifacts of the hunt. Lucy McKay of Legendaw must be acknowledged for her generosity in sharing information with other houses and remarkable diplomacy skills which during many tasks kept Legendaw house from inciting an excessive level of chaos. Ms. McKay is also an exemplary puzzle solver, being the only one in all of education without walls to decode the final clue of the entire house hunt. This led to the discovery of the final artifact, whose points were split with Chris Carrara of house Brumlin.
I am certain all attendees present today wait with bated breath for the unveiling of the ultimate champion of this year's house hunt. All four teams have shown admirable dedication and determination in the face of many challenges including but not limited to, the Great Jeopardy face-off, Pandor’s Revenge, The doomed Treaty of Bropex, The House Hunt nearly being canceled, the Great Marathon Task, and of course, the Final House Throwdown for which Max Ringer himself was present to preside over the hunt.
But alas, there can only be one champion. After careful tallying, the final House standings are as follows:
In fourth place, Snowpex with their cold calculated tactics. In third place, Brumblin with their diplomacy skills and astounding ambition. The first and second place houses are truly neck and neck, separated by a mere six points. However, the winner of the 2021 house hunt, who will be bringing home the pinnacle house cup, is… Pandor! Pandor, your united house spirit as well as your dedication to inclusion and support of the other houses ultimately earned you the 2021 House Cup.
Congratulations to all - and until next year….. Alea Iacta Est!
The First House Hunt
On the eve of the Spring Equinox in 1398, Leopold Legendaw (a Scot, and therefore a staunch Pagan) was holding a feast for his fellow house members. However, as the festivities were about to commence, Leopold suddenly realized his favorite goblet had gone missing. The feast simply could not commence without his prized goblet, so he and his housemates scoured the castle and grounds until it seemed all hope was lost. However, it was eventually revealed that the court jester had hidden it with the crown jewels. Not only was this a cause for celebration because the goblet had been found, but it was a momentous occasion for the house as a whole as it was the first time many house members first glimpsed the Legendaw crown jewels. Upon returning to the banquet, goblet restored to its rightful owner, Legendaw exclaimed “I do declare, t’was the most whimsical jest of the season!” Thus, the House Hunt was born.
The Double Life of Eliza Snowpex
Eliza Snowpex’s life was, until quite recently, shrouded in mystery. House historians knew she was the house founder but had no physical evidence of her having been anything else, except the wife of a duke. It was not until recently that her secret career as one of Italy’s most esteemed blacksmiths was discovered. Her pseudonym, Edward Shrewsbury, was widely renowned as one of the greatest blacksmiths of the time. The Snowpex house was also founded in the very forge where she worked, yet another reason the origins of this house are shrouded in mystery. It would seem, that after forging a lantern as a gift for Emilia Legendaw, a descendant of Leopold Legendaw, she and her many apprentices were personally invited to form their own house, and join the house hunt as esteemed guests. Thus the second house was formed. Eliza was quiet about her involvement in the house hunt, it seemed that even her husband had no knowledge of her career, or her house. Rather, her apprentices carried on the tradition of the Snowpex house.
The Ascension of Julias Pandor.
Julias Pandor came from a decently wealthy family in Ontario, Canada. His father, Cesar Pandor, was the owner of a wildly successful Cigar manufacturer, and of course wanted his only son, Julias, to take on the family business when he came of age. However, Julias was wholly uninterested in cigars and is quoted as saying “cigars are only fit for the weak of mind and foul of breath.” Instead, he became engrossed with the mythology and antics of a European tradition that was shrouded in mystery, the house hunt. His original request to add him and a group of his closest friends to the organization was quickly dismissed. No new house had been formed in nearly four centuries. However, Julius and his closest friends were undeterred and made what is agreed by many house historians to be the most thrilling entrance to a house hunt ever made. He and his new house crossed the Atlantic to ambush the first task of the hunt, tackling any who stood in their way, a tradition which was famously carried on in later years by house captain, Ethan Escobar. Pandor made it his life's work to bring the house hunt to the new world.
The Infamous Demise of Beaux Brumblin
Beaux Brumblin was a somewhat controversial figure both in life and within the house hunt. His many adventurous business schemes and several proposals to make additions to the rules of the house hunt were at first met with great enthusiasm, but after a time, met with exasperation and skepticism. No doubt he was a great entrepreneurial genius of the time, however, his ever-active mind caused him to abandon ventures as quickly as he devised them. In his later years, he became increasingly reclusive, insisting that no one appreciated his superior intellect except for his beloved pet surgeonfish, Beatrice Bramble Brumblin, whom he kept in a secret room under lock and key. His final days were spent almost entirely in that room, and one day, he went into the room on two feet and left in a coffin. The circumstances of his death are rather mysterious, however most house historians suspect foul play at the hand of Beatrice because his mortal wounds looked to be fin-shaped and a last-minute amendment to his will and testament left his fortune and estate in its entirety, to Beatrice.
The Great House Hunt of 2017
by Max Ringer
Due to the secretive nature of the House Hunt, many specifics regarding the rules and scoring mechanisms remained shrowded in mystery. This was in part to protect against possible attempts to "game the system." And also because of the transience of any formal structure given to this activity. That being said, there are criteria for picking a winner that can be detailed out here for the different Houses to understand.
While points by no means determine the champion, they are a useful indicator of success. When weighing the point system the most important elements were the number of House heirlooms collected with slightly less value given to the number of tasks completed as a house.
As far as final point totals, this was a thriller. With less than 24 hours before all scores were finalized(as specified in the original House Hunt email) there was an unprecedented switch up between first and second place spurred by a sibling betrayal of biblical proportions. I'm referring of course to when Campbell Coughlin of 4th place Snowpex, snuck into Legendaw captain Tucker Coughlin's backpack to retrieve the 20 point variable plate which had been stolen by Legendaw from Brumblein hardly a week prior. In a move that hurt Legendaw far more than it helped Snowpex, Campbell allowed Brumblein to regain the lead they'd held so dominantly for the majority of the House Hunt.
The final standings were then cemented as such:
1. Brumbelin
2. Legendaw
3. Snowpex
4. Pandor
Now as for variable factors what i considered most heavily were participation, grit and spirit.
The first special acknowledgement here must be made to Ethan Escobar of Pandor. Ethan epitomized the determination of Pandor by his many attempts at tackling Fenner(R.I.P. - Rest In Prague) and overall zest with witch he approached the more physical challenges. He also gave new meaning to the term "street rules" in his acquisition of the coveted Santa painting which is important seeing as creativity and boundary pushing are always valued during the House Hunt scoring process.Other distinctions belong to Bella Brodsky and Lily Moreno-Sheridan of Brumbelin who maintained an unmatched level of consistency in their completion of House tasks, while simultaneously acquiring something of a villain status for Brumbelin. This is perhaps fitting given the reputation of their founder Beaux, in relation to the other Houses...
Final credit should be given to the sibling power house of Cambell and Tucker Coughlin for carrying their respective, often dejected House members on their backs for a majority of the Hunt.
Personal honors aside, the key to winning phase 1 of House Hunt was commitment. Throwing yourself into something you don't totally understand can be difficult for many. But you can not win a phase, never mind the House crown by staying passive. This puts tremendous pressure on the captains to keep their house's focused and motivated.
The only two teams that competed in every challenge were Pandor and Brumbelin making them the two finalists for a phase 1 victory. Snowpex and Legendaw both had occasions where they could have been participated but opted out, eliminating them from serious contention. This is a good example of where the points matter. Had Legendaw for instance finished with the most points, one of the perks is that they would have been exempt from any such a disqualification.
Between Pandor and Brumbelin the victory went to whoever deciphered what the BWW tagline meant attached to all House emails. This was ultimately achieved by Brumbelin making them the rightful phase 1 champions. Only fitting that Brumbelin captain Fenner Stevens died for a winning cause. May the laurels of victory be spread across his grave.
