MIDDLEBURG — Midd-West High School is celebrating 100 years. In honor of such a significant milestone, a special district wide event has been organized.

“The inspiration began three years ago with a book of historical photos compiled by Jim Campbell,” shared Melissa Boonie, a teacher at Midd-West School District. “From that spark, the event has grown into a district-wide celebration involving hundreds of Midd-West students, staff, artists, scouts, historians, neighbors and friends.”

This eight week long event is a scavenger hunt open to everyone in the community- students, staff, families, alumni and community friends.

All Midd-West students will all receive a free playing deck, provided by the school district. Decks are available to the public for a $10 donation to the Snyder County Historical Society, which supports restoration efforts for the Soldiers Monument. Decks can be found at the Historical Society, Middlecreek Cafe, Pizza Ruhls and home football games.

The adventure begins today. Each student will receive a deck of cards. Each card will lead them through the 100 years of history with a QR code on the back, leading them to historical landmarks.

The challenges will be catered toward the different age groups- high school students will be given a new clue each Saturday, leading them to different locations around the community where they will have a chance to find commemorative coins; for children in elementary and middle school, the QR codes will lead them to different areas in their schools which will lead them to their coins.

“We wanted to honor 100 years of education in a way that was engaging, educational, and community-centered,” explained Boonie. “The scavenger hunt allows students and friends to explore local history through interactive challenges, fostering curiosity, civic pride and a deeper connection to their community.”

To commence the scavenger hunt, Midd-West High School will host a district-wide pep rally. Not only will all Midd-West students be in attendance, but many state officials will also attend such as state Sen. Lynda Schlegel-Culver, State Rep. David Rowe, Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity and officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

The pep rally will mark the start of the adventure, preparing students for what is to come.

According to Boonie, the true reward of the scavenger hunt is “a deeper sense of pride in one’s hometown, heritage, and personal backstory,” however, everyone who participates in the game is a winner, walking away having learned something new about the community–something they may never have known before.

On a physical reward level, anyone who discovers a commemorative “Middie” or “Mountie” coin is a winner as it will be a “finders keepers” game. These limited-edition coins are not only beautiful and rare, but they’ve already become coveted collector’s items and are not available anywhere else.

“Students will gain a deeper appreciation for local history, develop problem-solving skills through riddles and puzzles, and engage in meaningful conversations about their community,” shared Boonie. “Teachers are encouraged to integrate the cards into classroom activities, making history come alive through storytelling, exploration, and personal connections.”

The scavenger hunt officially begins today and runs through Nov. 22. Coin clues will remain active until all 108 commemorative coins are found.