The History of the Golden Frogs
Back in 2001, a handful of UCF college students from University Presbyterian Church wanted to plan an end-of-the-year fiasco. They wanted to hand out humorous awards and revel in the memories of the year. Of course, they had no money. Times haven’t changed that much. So, two students - Anna and Jason - went to the dollar store on a mission to find some trinket to use as trophies. They wandered down the aisles, brimming with plastic slinkies, glow-in-the-dark bouncy balls, and mardi-gras beads. Suddenly, Anna stopped dead in her tracks. There they were, poised and ready to leap from the dusty shelves. Little plastic frogs.
A few dollars and several gold spray-paint cans later, those neon frogs were transformed into (insert fanfare) The Golden Frogs! At the inaugural event, they handed out the Golden Frogs as funny superlative awards. And, of course, they made a video which involved (among other things) a fake pull-over by a UCF cop, Jason swimming across the reflection pond, and a “leap” from the parking garage (actually, Jason’s clothes wrapped around a watermelon). Everyone had such a blast that the next year the Golden Frogs had to return.
Over time, the event morphed into what it is today. The dress code evolved into formal attire. Instead of humorous joke awards, the Golden Frogs became a time to commemorate seniors and celebrate what God has done and is doing through the year. The quality of the trophies themselves developed, as well. In case you didn’t notice, this year featured the best line of tropies yet: high quality gold spray paint and REAL GLASS bottles (we’re going green, you know… less plastic). Also, only in the past couple of years did we push the tables back and boogy on the dance floor. However, despite all of these little changes, the legacy of The Golden Frogs lives on and judging from the success of this year’s event, I’d say the tradition will be around for awhile.
And though only seniors got up and shared, our Savior is on the move in all the unlikely and unoticed places, too. The Golden Frogs are all about the glamor and glitz, but Jesus got his hands dirty and he continues to do so. So, as the semester winds down, and you all turn in those final papers, take those last tests, pack up dorm rooms, or gear up for summer classes, what would it be like to take a few minutes to ponder the ways God has been faithful in your life? In the little ways, even when it doesn’t seem like it. I’m so quick to forget that God is on the move at UCF. I so often am too busy to slow down and remember that Christ is amidst the mess and that He is creating beauty from ashes.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name
make known his deeds among the peoples!
Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of his wondrous works!
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice!
Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered,
O offspring of Israel his servant, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones!
1 Chronicles 16:8-13
If you’re in town this summer, stay posted because we will be meeting on Wednesday nights for a relaxed, Bible Study and hang-out time.
Disclaimer: This history was pieced together based on one conversation and some of the details may be slight fabrications… for example, I’m not sure if there actually were slinkies on the dollar store shelves. For a 100% trustworthy version of the story, talk to Ande or Kelly, both of whom were actually present at that very first Golden Frog Award Night!
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