Photo by Gianna Elston-Gove
On Scholars’ Day, May 7, 2025, visitors at Mount Mary University had an opportunity to play an alternative reality game that put together elements of an escape room and scavenger hunt. The game, developed by students in the advanced writing for new media class taught by Dr. Casey O’Ceallaigh, featured five “Spirits of SSND” who helped players advance through the game.
Photo by Gianna Elston-Gove
The game is the result of a collaboration between Dr. O’Ceallaigh, the students, and staff at the North American Archives (NAA). This is the first-time students at Mount Mary have used the NAA as part of a class project. Students in the class worked together to develop a storyline, rules, and logistics for the game, which was played at various locations throughout the campus.
The game centered on letters written between the fictional Sr. Adelaide and her friend at various points in their lives. The letters included information about five “Spirits of SSND,” sisters who worked at the school from its beginnings at Prairie du Chien through the 1960s. The featured sisters were Sisters Notker Findley, Charitas Krieter, Mary John Van Vonderen, John Francis Schuh, and Gisela Hornback.
Photo by Gianna Elston-Gove
Players had to work out clues to advance to each location. At each location they received a lost “letter” and answered questions based on the contents of the letter to receive a stamp. The NAA was one of the locations in the game and there, players learned about Sister Charitas Krieter’s talent for handwriting analysis. Players would write a phrase on a piece of paper and put it into the handwriting analyzer designed by the students and out would come an assessment of their personality.
Dr. O’Ceallaigh describes the event as “a true reflection of the charism of the SSND. It was all fun and games, but it was also hard work. I am so proud of the care and dedication that the students put into overcoming their challenges together to make the game, as well as grateful for the support they received from faculty, staff, SSNDs, and other community members.”