Skip to Main Content Skip to Footer Toggle Navigation Menu

Old Main 2 goes wild for Shakespeare’s Wild Goose Chase

By Callisto Martinez ’26

Photo of Sophia Woods '27 stands in front of a bust of Shakespeare and a collection of Chanter holding an English and Creative Writing Department tote bag.
February 9th winner Sophia Woods ’27

This semester, a scavenger hunt is afoot on Old Main 2! The English and Creative Writing Department’s newest tradition, Shakespeare’s Wild Goose Chase, offers the chance for English and Creative Writing students to scour the department for a voucher to win department merchandise or candy. 

Natasha Friedman holds her a small voucher and tote bag with the English Department mascot, a highland cow and a squirrel, printed on them.
February 16th winner Natasha Friedman ’29

True to the history of the term “wild goose chase,” which was originally popularized through performances of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the scavenger hunt clues are embedded within a quatrain. These clues are posted on our Instagram and are sent out by Department Coordinator Jan Beebe every Monday morning, so be sure to keep an eye on your inbox to get a head start on the hunt (and stop by for Bagel Monday while you’re at it)!

The brainchild of student workers Bea Lloyd ’28 and Emily Keller ’29, Shakespeare’s Wild Goose Chase takes a more hands-on twist on deciphering poetry than what we might expect.   

Lillian Adams '27 poses with the voucher card in the doorway of the English 210 office.
February 27th winner Lillian Adams ’27

“We wanted to encourage activity in Old Main 2, and get people involved in the English Department,” Emily said. “Personally, I really like making scavenger hunts, and also poems are kind of like riddles, so it felt very English-themed.”

Sophia Woods ’27 found the first voucher on the tradition’s launch date, February 9th, and Natasha Friedman ’29 was the most efficient sleuth on February 16th. Despite the department releasing the original clue on Monday, February 23rd, last week’s Wild Goose Chase remained unsolved until Friday, February 27th. After an extensive search of Old Main 2 from various students as well as Professor Daylanne English, Lillian Adams ’27 claimed victory on Friday! 

Next Monday, the voucher will be waiting for your watchful eyes, hidden somewhere on Old Main 2.