Samantha Melendez, graduate physical education student, found the Northern Star’s hidden medallion Thursday afternoon. “[I searched] just by myself … I was having a bad day, so it was something to get my mind off of it,” Melendez said.

A series of clues throughout the week led her to the medallion, which was hidden behind leaves and a gutter on the side of Williston Hall. Among her rewards were gift cards, lawn chairs, NIU gear, an excessive amount of water bottles and White Sox tickets.

“I mean, I can be [a Sox fan]. I’m more of a Cubs fan, but my parents have season tickets to the Sox games,” Melendez said. “So if anything, I’ll be like, ‘My seats are better than yours.’ “

Melendez hunted a little bit each day, even in Wednesday’s wind and rain. She says she used all of the clues in collaboration to locate the medallion.