If you’re sharp at answering trivia questions — and tucking into homemade desserts — Terry Fox secondary has a night to whet your appetite.
Next Saturday, the Port Coquitlam high school hosts its 26th annual trivia night — a benefit for its music department currently run by Ryan Cho, one of two School District 43 teachers who last month won a premier’s award for excellence in education.
Cho, who’s been at the northside high school for 11 years, said the department hopes to collect $8,000 from the event to help pay for two extra-curricular activities next year: a field trip to see a Vancouver Opera production in February and a three-day music festival in Whistler.
The trivia night proceeds will be in addition to what the 90 concert band and choir students haul in during the academic year, through Easter egg chocolate sales and returns at Biggar Bottle Depot on Kingsway Avenue.
For this year’s trivia night, there’ll be a familiar judge on the panel: PoCo school trustee Michael Thomas, who was re-elected last month. The school’s new principal, David Starr, was also invited to be a judge while parent Anthony Bischoff will emcee.
While last year’s theme centred on superheroes, Broadway Baby! is the focus on Nov. 17, with many questions tailored around Broadway musicals.
Cho said a parent committee has spent hours designing 56 questions — seven rounds at eight question each — to stump participants. And though the questions are top secret for now, he revealed a few of the topics during an interview last week with The Tri-City News: the Oscars, science, fathers, love songs, and food and drink.
Awards will be handed out for best costumes (guests are encourage to dress as their favourite singer, dancer or actor in a musical or movie) and team name as well as for the two top-scoring tables; door and raffle prizes will also be distributed throughout the night.
As well, guests also have the chance to win silent auction goodies. In past years, the packages have included tickets to the Vancouver Opera shows and Vancouver Canucks’ games; instruments from Long & McQuade, which has a store in Port Coquitlam; and graduation dresses (businesses can donate goods by emailing [email protected]).
Also in previous years, music students will be volunteering — either at set-up, take-down or during the night — and a few concert band musicians will perform at half-time.
“The students really have fun,” Cho said. “It’s something they look forward to every year, and it’s really a great way to connect with the community while raising money.”
• Tickets are $20 via terryfoxtrivianight.ca (no tickets will be available at the door). Singles and couples can email Ryan Cho at [email protected] to be placed at tables with seats available. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. with the action starting at 7 p.m. in the Terry Fox secondary gym (1260 Riverwood Gate, Port Coquitlam). Guests are permitted to bring their dinner or order in; the ticket price includes snacks and desserts made by parents of the music students.
