SAMI's Quest for Cash: The Epic Race to Win $1,000

Alright, Redbirds, it’s that time of year again. The SAMI Quest for Cash is BACK, and we’re about to launch round 4 of this epic scavenger hunt. That’s right, another $1,000 is up for grabs, and all you have to do is follow the clues, crack some codes, and snag the Key. Easy, right? Well… kinda. 

 

Before you dive headfirst into solving this year’s mystery, we’re here to give you some insider tips to make sure you don’t end up chasing your own tail. Plus, we’ll drop some clues and answers from past quests, so you can see just how tricky (or sneaky) we can get. Ready? Let’s do this. 

 

OUR TOP TIPS TO WIN

The clues keep getting spicier.

Here’s the deal: every clue we give will get you a little closer to the location of the Key. But don’t expect us to hand it to you right away. Clues start off vague—like, "What even is that?" vague—and then gradually get more specific. So, don’t get discouraged by the first couple of clues. Keep chipping away and you’ll start seeing the bigger picture. 

 

Misdirection is our favorite.

Look, we LOVE a good word game. So if you think a clue is leading you one way, you might want to pause and think again. We’re big on double meanings and misdirection. Just because something seems obvious doesn’t mean it’s right. You’ve gotta look a little deeper. Basically, if the clue seems like a straightforward answer, you’re probably wrong. (Sorry, not sorry.)

 

Think Outside the Box (and Then Some) 

Sometimes the simplest interpretation is way off base. You might need to rethink the obvious. Look at the clues from all angles, especially if you hit a dead end. Remember, we're not just dropping breadcrumbs—we’re building puzzles. Think of this hunt as the ultimate mind game.

 

READY TO CLUE IN?

Now, before you throw on your Indy hat and hit the ground running, let’s walk down memory lane with some of the clues from past quests. Consider this your cheat sheet (but, like, not really).

 

Spring Semester ‘22-23 Quest – Medici's Blue Posts

 

1. NOT found at, on, under, or around an ISU landmark - (Just narrowing down the field—because yeah, we can't make it way too easy by hiding it on the Quad.) 

 

2. Spring is in the air...that helps! - (You’re looking outside, not inside. Nature is calling, so head outdoors.) 

 

 

3. Don’t bother looking downtown - (Misdirection alert! You’re heading Uptown, not downtown, the most obvious answer. Sorry for the trust issues.) 

 

4. Support for outside activities - (The key was hidden on a steel post holding the rooftop seating area of Medici. Literally supporting your outdoor drinks and bites.) 

 

5. Walk a mile, gain no ground. Search towards sundown - (You can walk a mile in the Town Circle, but the real action’s happening west of the circle—at Medici.) 

 

6. In Normal near Mulberry - (Misdirection – this doesn’t mean Mulberry Street! Medici’s tree INSIDE the restaurant is a mulberry tree. Hope ya didn’t fall for that.) 

 

7. With fresh buzz, go east west north - (After a fresh cut from Shorty’s barbershop, head east on West North Street. Confusing, but hey, it’s a quest, not a map.) 

 

8. Watched over by sentry of stone - (Medici’s stone gargoyles are keeping an eye on things from above. They see all... including your confusion.) 

 

BONUS ROUND: You never got to see these clues, since the key was found after just 8 clues!

 

9. Short trip to Mom’s - (Mother Murphy’s is just across the street—close enough for a shopping break but still not your prize.) 

 

10. Derek Zoolander’s signature look! - (Blue Steel, baby! The steel posts at Medici are literally painted blue. *Insert your best Zoolander pose here.*) 

 

Fall Semester ‘23-24 Quest – The Young America Sign Outside their Office

 

1. The competition begins. Look out! - (First hint: The key is outside. You’ll have to step out for this one.) 

 

2. Two Grand...POOF! - (Once upon a time, 4 dorms housing 2,000 students were demolished across the street. R.I.P. Dorm Life.) 

 

3. The key is to walk the walk - (No shortcuts here—the key is right by the sidewalk on Main. So, literally walk it.) 

 

4. I invite night flight - (The Young America sign shines a spotlight on their American flag, so it’s still flying after dark. Keep it patriotic, even at midnight.) 

 

5. Daily early Bird view - (You know the Rec Center? Where those early rising Redbirds pretend to love cardio? Yeah, the key’s right across from it.) 

 

6. BOLD move, SAMI - (Quick shout out to our friends at YA – the key was beneath their big sign!) 

 

7. The path to the key is not normal - (You’re walking along Main Street, which is a State Highway, not a "Town of Normal" road. No normal paths here, folks.) 

 

8. I would like to lodge a complaint - (If you thought this was about The Lodge Apartments, you’ve been misdirected! Make your complaint at their front desk instead.) 

 

9. T-Shirt City - (Young America: where it’s raining tees.) 

 

BONUS ROUND: We never made it to #10! Great sleuthing!

 

10. Flag Day - (The key is chilling beneath the American flag by the business sign.) 

 

ON YOUR MARKS...GET SET...

So there you have it—some solid tips and a peek at the past clues to get your gears turning. This year’s Quest for Cash is going to be even trickier, so get ready to outsmart the misdirection and grab that Key. 

The hunt is on soon, and trust us, $1,000 is worth every wild goose chase.

 

Think you’ve got what it takes? We’ll see you out there, clue in hand, and cash on the brain. Happy hunting!