51Сʪ Shofar Cup brings students together in a week of fun events
March 12, 2025
By Becca Kohlmyer, 51Сʪ Student Writer
What do trivia questions, food, art, and dodgeball have in common? They are all a part of Columbia International University’s annual Shofar Cup Week! The week is a series of competitive events that take place as a part of the House Collective,a year-long competition between the seven Latin-themed residential houses for the coveted House Cup. This week is so important to students because it singlehandedly provides the most opportunities to gain points for each house while also displaying many of the different interests, cultures, and talents at 51Сʪ.
The week kicked off with a night of “House Feud,” an annual 51Сʪ tradition based on the popular game show, Family Feud. After an intense battle between the houses to answer 51Сʪ-specific trivia questions, it came down to Veritas versus Fidelitas, with Veritas securing the win with the quick reflexes of Thea Lillaheart.
Lillaheart expressed her joy at winning, saying, “It feels amazing to win House Feud! I’m super excited about the week and proud of our house for working together so well!”
The following night, students gathered in the cafeteria after hours for a Cook Off of epic proportions. Each house was given a station to prepare an appetizer, entree, and dessert with a limited amount of time to prepare a creative and delicious dish. Five judges gathered to rate dishes for taste, presentation, and creativity.
Alayna Brown, one of the organizers of the event, said, “It's one of my favorites at 51Сʪ because you get to see students’ cultures come out in what they make. It’s really cool!”
In the end, Sapientia, also known as “West,” won the competition for their creative dishes, aesthetic plating, and teamwork in the kitchen. The house celebrated by chanting their known catchphrase, “West is best!”
Wednesday night rolled around, with students and faculty gathering in Hoke Auditorium for Coffee House. This event showcases the student body’s creative side, exhibiting various creative mediums and handing out awards in each of the categories.
The first three categories (crafting, painting, and drawing) were won by Caroline Birdsong for her pottery bowl, landscape painting, and horse drawing. An entire wall showed off students’ skill in photography, with Jessa Turnage taking home a first-place ribbon for her creative perspective with a picture of a flame.
The final category called for the attendants to sit and listen as their fellow students stood on Hoke stage and read their poetry aloud to the crowd. After much deliberation and a near-tie the judges awarded first place to Claire Sims for a poem she wrote about her grandpa entitled, “Pa.” Second place was awarded to Jessa Turnage for her poem, “The Dicentra Heart,” using a garden as a metaphor for her own growth. Third place was given to Thea Lillaheart, for her poem, “Author,” giving God the final say as the author of her life.
As the event ended, Music Program پٴǰDr. Rod Lewis stuck around to congratulate students on their creativity and courage to share their art. “I appreciate getting to hear the hearts and minds of students expressed from this side of Heaven, in a creative and redemptive way.”
To kick off the last night of the event, 51Сʪ Student Life served snacks and drinks in the Fitness Center as brother and sister houses paired up to defeat each other in a massive game of dodgeball. The crowd screamed for their houses and the players desperately ran across the court. In the end, Justitia and Dignitas took the crown, securing the coveted points.
The week of competition, creativity, and fun concluded with Fidelitas taking the lead in the standings with Veritas only a few points behind, with one event left to determine the ultimate victor!
Higher learning. Deeper faith. A Christ-centered community on campus and online.ǰat 51Сʪ by contacting Admissions at (803) 807-5024 oradmissions@ciu.edu.