The Common Book hosted the Finding Franklin: A Common Book AUmazing Race this Sunday, beginning and ending at Langdon Hall, with support from the Office of Sustainability. With 13 teams of 70 students participating, this event was full of teamwork, strategy, and fun! Teams competed to complete as many of the 10 mental, 10 physical, and 5 photo challenges as possible. The average number of challenges stamped for completion was 23, a very impressive feat!
Students fill out their passport with a stamp from each activity they complete.
Challenges were inspired by Ben Franklin, giving students the opportunity to learn about American history while having fun. Teams soared through the mental challenges, showcasing the creativity and problem-solving skills of Auburn students! Tasks included completing magic squares, reciting founding fathers‘ fun facts, writing notes backwards and upside down, and using an almanac to locate historical temperatures.
This team of two rushes on to their next challenge!
According to many participants, however, the physical challenges were the highlight of the race. Thanks to our incredible volunteers, the chess piece relay race quickly became a crowd favorite! As well as the candle challenge where they had to identify the scents of multiple candles in reference to Franklin’s first job in his father’s candle making shop. 
The Office of Sustainability partnered with the Common Book program to help organize challenge stations, support event operations of the race, and most importantly recruit and coordinate volunteers.
A special thank you goes to the volunteers who staffed each challenge station. Their enthusiasm and dedication helped make the event possible. Beyond supporting the race, volunteers enjoyed interacting with students and experiencing the excitement firsthand. One volunteer shared: “As a staff member who doesn’t often have the opportunity to work directly with students, volunteering was a rewarding experience. It was inspiring to see firsthand how respectful, thoughtful, intelligent they are, and it was wonderful to watch them learn while having fun. I would encourage anyone considering volunteering to take advantage of the opportunity.”
Our volunteers had fun judging challenges and cheering on participants!
The event was a tremendous success, with students leaving excited about both the experience and prizes. Winners earned tours of Samford Hall, Jordan-Hare, and the Raptor Center, along with signed basketballs from Steven Pearl and prizes donated by local businesses. 
Be sure to visit the Common Book page to learn more about upcoming events connected to this year’s Common Book, Ben & Me: In Search of a Founder’s Formula for a Long and Useful Life.
Written by Sarah Reilein.
