Clash of the Halls 2025: Day 1

It’s that time of the year again—IMSA’s Clash of the Halls competition is officially underway! This annual tradition unites all seven residential halls for a week of fierce competition, testing not only strength and spirit but also brainpower. To kick off the season, the first event? Riddles.

At 8 am, the first hint of Riddles was posted to IVC featuring a video. Following a path of brain teasers from Moana and IMSA’s sleigh ride, Think Tank was next.

Held during S&E, Think Tank is filled with a plethora of trivia questions, spanning from core academic subjects to pop culture, cultural diversity, and the fine arts. Yet, it’s not just about knowing the facts—speed and accuracy are critical to marking your spot on the leaderboard. Teams are eligible to use any resources at their disposal, from faculty members to even AI, as they race against the ticking clock to submit their answers. With students scattered throughout the building, strategizing their next moves, the energy is electric. Let’s step inside and see what’s happening behind the scenes with each group!

Though interviews with participants were limited, each team had their own unique approach in mind. Some relied on strategic group discussions, while others quickly divided tasks to tackle as many questions as possible. Teachers from all departments joined in to help various teams. Multiple individuals gave their opinions on who they believed would be at the bottom of the leaderboard today; the most voted was 02. Regardless of their methods, it was clear all teams shared one goal: victory.   

Day 1 of Clash wraps up with each hall’s movie premier featured in the auditorium. Nostalgic 2000s songs were played during intermissions, accompanied by CAB members/hosts, Molly and Luci. Produced and edited by the students themselves, each movie featured humorous yet creative tales surrounding their chosen theme. It was a tough call for the judges but ultimately came down to 1503 being voted as the best, followed by 1504 (2nd place) and 1501 (3rd place).

The energy is high as each hall promises immense confidence. With more challenges ahead, every hall has the chance to rise, surprise, and make its mark. The competition is far from over, as this is only the beginning. It can be anyone’s game—may the best hall win!

From brain puzzles to cinematic plays, Day 1 ends with the following leaderboard. (First to Last Place)

Leaderboard:

1. 1504
2. 1503
3. 1501
4. 1505
5. 1502
6. 1506
7. 1507

Think Tank:

1. 1504
2. 1501
3. 1503
4. 1505
5. 1507
6. 1506
7. 1502

Movies:

1. 1503
2. 1504
3. 1501
4. 1505
5. 1502
6. 1506
7. 1507