Students solve Middle School mystery

Thursday, November 17, 2016

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- The third annual "CMS Mystery Night" for grades 6-8 was Oct. 25 at Charleston Middle School.

Nearly 200 participants, including 88 CMS students, helped solve "The Case of the Poison Pen," according to Charleston R-1 parent liaison B.J. Babb who organized the Title I Parent Involvement event.

The event was hosted by CMS teacher Stephanie Grimes. Families searched the school, playing games to unlock clues to determine who committed a fictional crime at CMS, Babb said.

As the story unfolded, guests learned the English teacher, played by CMS teacher Megan Williams, received a letter predicting she would get the flu before seventh hour, which she did. Taking cues from the classic board game "Clue," suspects were deemed innocent using process of elimination and critical thinking. Suspects included the principal, the bus driver and school mascot Billy Blue, each having a motive and connection with the crime scene.

Five game areas included mini-golf trivia, Library Lookup, Wheel of Random and the classic Dark Gym, where students had to find two hidden codes before being allowed to enter.

During final ceremony, it was revealed that "The History Teacher," played by CMS social studies teacher Alyssa Opels, was guilty Babb said.

Top winners at CMS Mystery Night were Seth Peters, first; Christa and Ryan Harper, second; Rebecca Smith, third; and Erin, Emily and Sara Campbell, honorable mention, each receiving prizes donated by Citizens Bank of Charleston.