Chocolates, brownies, flowers and shades of pink decorated the Morgan University Center as students gathered for the Gov’s Programming Council Valentine’s trivia night on Feb. 11, 2026. Initially, I arrived to report on it, but when the host announced the grand prize was $300, suddenly my role as an observer felt negotiable.
The questions ranged from pop culture to love traditions around the world, and with prize money on the line, the competition was tight. You could look around and tell when someone knew an answer, when they didn’t and when they got it right after completely guessing. Students laughed, debated and celebrated small victories as each answer was announced.
By the final round, I was unexpectedly in the lead with 46 points while most competitors hovered somewhere in the 30s. Confidence, however, quickly gave way when a surprise wager round appeared on the screen. Students could choose to participate in this round and wager as many of their points as they liked or not participate at all. The kicker? The category was a secret, and there were no hints about what the question could be.
The atmosphere changed.
Apart from the grand prize, second place received $200 and third place $100. Students stared at their scores, wondering whether to take the risk.
In the end, I chose not to participate in that round and watched as the surprise Shakespearean question appeared — one that many students answered with ease. The decision sent me tumbling out of the top three entirely, a reminder that trivia night can be as unforgiving as it is entertaining.
While my hesitation reshaped my night, it allowed Tanya Williams, under the team name “Mistah,” to win the $300 grand prize.
“I love events like these, and I hope to see more like this…” she said. “I’m going to use the money to buy my textbooks because they’re expensive.”
A sentiment many students can easily understand.
For most participants, the night delivered laughter, friendly competition and a festive Valentine’s atmosphere. For one student, it also delivered a timely academic investment.
