Roller Derby Girls Trivia Night fund raiser had over 60 in attendance

Over 60 were in attendance at the Cape Girardeau Roller Girls' first ever trivia night on Friday at Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant and Lounge in downtown Cape Girardeau.

Tickets were $10 per person and proceeds help the roller derby league, which is completely self funded, pay for practice rentals, events and insurance.

Trivia rounds began at 7 p.m. as nine teams competed in categories such as civics, T.V. Guide, American history audio, North American cities, Oscars, dead or alive, college mascots, famous Missourians, American history and famous movie releases.

The official game announcers for the Derby Girls Stephen K. and Amanda Sparks read 10 questions for each of the 10 categories. After all the questions were announced, each team had two minutes to deliberate, ask for any questions to be repeated, and turn in their answers to the judges.

The Storm Troopers of Trivia challenged two questions in the civics category during the first round. Of the eight team members, three are civics teachers at the local public schools and the fourth is a history major.

"This is a charity event, but there is a certain amount of ethics and backing they need to have," team member Mary said. "If they ask a question they need to be able to have a source if they are challenged."

The officiators declared that the question in doubt was not worded clearly and each team was given a bonus point.

"The frustrating part for us is, we teach this every day, and when we say 'No, this isn't the right answer,' we don't get the amount of respect we deserve," Jennifer Finley of the Storm Troopers said.

Between rounds of trivia, games such as Fifty-Fifty, Coin Toss and Heads and Tails offered prize winning opportunities to trivia participants.

"Heads or Tails is a game where participants stand up with a dollar if they want to play," Roller Girl Sylvia Smash said. "The announcer flips a quarter and the crowd chooses heads or tails by putting their hands on their heads or their tush before the quarter lands. If the quarter lands on heads, everyone with tails sits down. The game continues until only one person is left standing."

Each player must pay $1 to play Heads or Tails before the game begins. The winner of the game receives 50 percent of the money collected to play the game. Paula McBride, Roller Girl and member of the trivia team Fresh Meat, won the game.

"We were awful," McBride said about Fresh Meat's performance in trivia. "We are in last place, but for us it's about supporting our team."

Teams could score up to 100 points in the trivia game. Team Bull Dog finished first with 92 points. Each team member received a $10 refund of their ticket price and a $5 Sonic gift card that was donated by the restaurant.

"The group of Roller Girls is very welcoming," Fresh Meat team member Liz Akers said. "So if you come to these, everyone can have fun."

"People seem to be having a lot of fun, "Roller Girl Sylvia Smash said after the ninth trivia round was completed.