SFA students and local businesses connect during 2006 Treasure Hunt

By Nicole Natinsky Chamber intern SFA students recently received prizes they won by participating in the Treasure Hunt, an event created by the SFA-Chamber Connection Committee. “I did the Treasure Hunt to get to know my way around Nacogdoches, have fun with friends and entertain ourselves. I love getting lost, having to stop and ask people questions” said SFA freshman, Jessica Ruminer, who participated with the SFA Treasure Hunt and won two complimentary tickets to any SFA College of Fine Arts event. Photo by Nicole Natinsky. SFA College of Fine Arts Interim Dean Dr. John Goodall presents Treasure Hunt prize-winner Jessica Ruminer with two complimentary tickets to an SFA Fine College of Fine Arts event. Other Treasure Hunt prize winners were announced during halftime at the SFA Homecoming game on October 21. To participate in the Treasure Hunt and compete for prizes and a scholarship, SFA students visited local businesses. Each sponsoring business was listed on the Treasure Hunt map. Eight thousand maps were distributed in students’ on-campus mail boxes and also handed to students taking the SFA101 classes When students visited the locations, the business representatives were given a chance to explain their products and services to the students and give them additional prizes such as flowers, cups, pens, chocolate and other goodies. Once a student visited the required number of business locations, he or she dropped off the map and entered a drawing for big prizes. “The Treasure Hunt helped me learn about some businesses that I did not know about,” said SFA student Brittany Trantham. The local sponsoring businesses for the 2006 Treasure Hunt were Austin Bank, Austin Finance, BancorpSouth, Banita Creek Management, Cellular One of East Texas, Citizens 1st Bank, Dream Makers Florist, Etech, Inc., Heartbeat Pregnancy Center, House of Versailles, Julia’s Hair Salon, Kelly Services, Pro Cuts, Pro Digital Photo, Satir & Satir M.D., Sears, SFA Alumni Association, SFA College of Fine Arts, Tatoo Productions, The Cottage, The Daily Sentinel and Unlimited Designs. Photo by Hardy Meredith. Treasure Hunt winners and sponsors pictured from left, Brent High of Gary, winner of an iPod; Kati Saldana with Etech Inc.; Jeff Davis with the SFA Alumni Association; Ashley Wilson of Dike, winner of $250 scholarship; Misty Snow with the Daily Sentinel and Buzz Magazine; and Philippa Scroggie of Houston, winner of a digital camera.