After four days of riddles and searches, senior Grecia Nunez-Palomares uncovered the medallion in Newman’s 2026 medallion hunt, earning her a $200 cash reward.
The competition, held Feb. 2–6, has been a ritual during Heritage Month for several years, with daily clues of the medallion’s hidden location posted at 8 a.m. on the Heritage Month webpage.
On the last day of this year’s hunt, Nunez-Palomares found the medallion at the St. Maria De Mattias sculpture on the plaza in front of the Athletics and Fine Arts Center.
An additional clue was posted before it was found at 12:30 p.m. on feb. 6, referencing the foundation and “heart of why Newman exists.” St. Maria De Mattias is the founder of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, who established Newman in 1933.
Learn about Heritage Month
Newman honors its heritage with the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) and its namesake, St. John Henry Newman.
