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pwaaaintdead.com
Scholars demand alpaca's release for Tournament of Champions
This is the story of how one alpaca became larger than the competition itself
BY LEX THE SCHOLAR
NEW HAVEN, Conn. — At Yale University this week, scholars came together for the 2025 World Scholar’s Cup Tournament of Champions, expecting the usual debates on technology, ethics and art. Instead, the biggest topic is something no one saw coming. It’s about an alpaca.
Painted Warrior, the live alpaca mascot introduced in 2015 and beloved by generations of participants, is missing from this year’s competition. His absence has caused anger, trending hashtags, and even small protests on campus.
“They might’ve taken the Warrior out of Yale, but they can’t take it out of us,” said Ho Ming Wai, a Senior Division scholar from Hong Kong, Hong Kong. “Our spirit and fight continues for justice.”
The response has been fast. Outside the campus, scholars carried signs that read “Alpaca Lives Matter” and “Warrior for the People.” Others protested more quietly, painting alpaca patterns on their faces or holding alpaca plush toys during team photos.
Organizers of the World Scholar’s Cup have not given an official statement. But one staff member, overheard by participants, said: “He’s too powerful. The scholars aren’t ready for him.”
That silence has only made the rumors grow.
On Scholar social media groups, people are guessing why Warrior is gone. Some say he became too popular and took attention away from the main competition. Others think he was retired for safety reasons. A wilder theory claims Warrior is in “pasture exile,” waiting for a big return.
"They thought removing Warrior would silence us. Instead, it gave us a reason to stand stronger together,” said Nyambura Wambui, a Junior Division scholar from Nairobi, Kenya.
Online, the story has spread quickly. TikTok videos of Painted Warrior with dramatic music are going viral, often ending with the words, “They can cage the Warrior, but not his spirit.” On X, rapper Chief Beef posted: “Stop playin wit the🦙 let my boy back in,” a message that gained more than 50,000 likes in a single day.
PAINTED WARRIOR has vanished from ToC, but not in scholars' hearts
— NAYELI TÉLLEZ
Senior Division, Los Angeles, Calif.
Whether his absence is short or long, one thing is certain: Painted Warrior has become bigger than the role of mascot. During the first day of debates, alpaca chants broke out in the halls, forcing moderators to step in.
For now, scholars continue to chant, post, and hope, waiting for Painted Warrior to return not just as a memory, but as a living part of the Cup once again.
"When I stepped out and Warrior wasn’t posted up, the whole spot was dead. We mobbed thru for debate, writin’, and alpacas. This ain’t even WSC."
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ABOUT WSC
Back in 06, Daniel Berdichevsky, the OG who once led the U.S. Academic Decathlon, decided scholars worldwide deserved a place to flex their skills and level up together. The competition has six subjects: science, history, literature, art & music, social studies, and a special theme that switches up every year to keep things fresh. Everybody knows Jerry, the alpaca mascot holding it down. But the real ones never forget Painted Warrior, the legendary alpaca who only came through at the Tournament of Champions. Every time he showed up, the whole scene lit up like it was history in the making.
the founder's message
If you tappin’ in right now, you prolly gettin’ ready for a WSC round. Maybe it’s your first run, maybe you been grindin’ since Regionals — either way, I feel you. You hyped, maybe lowkey stressed, tryna lock in before game day. When I first slid into WSC, man, it had me twisted — all that studyin’, debates feelin’ like battles, and the Scholar’s Bowl? Straight chaos.
That’s why I put this site together. You gon’ find study guides, slick tips (ain’t no cheat codes), and help for every event
But real talk, this ain’t just about stackin’ medals (though if you tryna flex some gold, do your thing). It’s about levelin’ up with ya squad, linkin’ with folks worldwide, and seein’ who you really is when the spotlight hit.
And the name? PWAA Ain’t Dead. That’s love to Painted Warrior, the alpaca OG. He might not be walkin’ Yale’s halls no more, but his drip, his vibe, his legacy? Still alive in every scholar steppin’ up ready.
Snatch what you need, put yo squad on, and never forget:
Long live Painted Warrior. PWAA ain’t dead.
Lan Alicia Nguyen
USA Senior Division
