THE BLUE AND WHITE

“The room is silent. Two players hover over their buzzers, hands twitching in anticipation of the moderator’s next word. You want to press the buzzer as soon as possible, but there’s always this lingering sense of dread; a premature response means losing points and spoonfeeding crucial context to the opponent. That rush of adrenaline–that split-second gamble–is the peak of Trivia for me.” Mason Freedman (Year 11)

Under a brief interview segment with co-head Mason Freedman, it’s clear UCC’s Trivia Club has achieved resounding success during the 2025–2026 school year. From battling into the finals of the Trivia Consensus Tournament to achieving a record number of signups from budding intellectuals, the club has balanced high-level competition with a welcoming atmosphere. Beyond the fast-paced intensity from the buzzer, Mason painted a deeper narrative: the light-hearted friendship and robust brotherhood existing beneath the tension of the game. 

There has always been a misconception that Trivia Club rests on one pillar: raw knowledge. That those without knowledge are unqualified or would just embarrass themselves if joining the club. However, with topics ranging from capital cities, literature, global Vexillology to deep-dives into niche fields on Olympic lore and musical theatre, every member, regardless of interest, has an opportunity to shine. Mason has also firmly stood his ground in hopes for students to recognize that the trivia club ≠ knowing everything. 

“Trivia is a place where I can have fun and learn about a plethora of different topics beyond the constraints of the classroom–stuff that I wouldn’t even think of learning,” Mason shared. “I keep finding myself immersed in this sea of knowledge because this process is about channeling one’s intellectual curiosity, embracing the challenging prompts to improve, and realizing that success is never instantaneous.” 

As such, moving into 2026, UCC Trivia intends to build on its continued momentum by fostering a greater sense of belonging. During our conversation, what particularly caught my attention was the co-head’s reflection on Trivia culture: “My fondest memories aren’t the thrill of winning, but the emotional rollercoasters from social interactions with my friends–whether we were fighting over who hit the buzzer first or making bets on who held the most knowledge in a specific field. Those moments made the difference, and I want the rest of the community to enjoy trivia too.” 

Whether you want house points for the Prefects’ Cup or you just want to test your wits, Trivia is the perfect place to create meaningful memories and thrive in a stimulating environment. Meetings are weekly Friday in room 232. The heated discussion and competition are guaranteed to be there– but what about you? 

Until the next anecdote drops, 

Jeffrey