Brittany “BK” Kraft, said she never expected to walk away from her spring break in Acapulco, Mexico, with $25,000, a year supply of Amp Energy products and the title of College Champion.

“It’s insane; it’s still hard to take in,” Kraft said.

The senior elementary education major from Lexington left Mexico with fame and fortune after competing in the USA Rock Paper Scissors League College Championships while on spring break this month.

“It’s not the typical spring break competition coming out with such a big win, ” Kraft said.

Kraft, who was one out of 78 competitors, signed up for the competition after she was approached by a representative from Amp Energy as she was lying by the pool.

While waiting in line to participate, Kraft got stung by a bee on her “shooting hand.” What she thought was a bad omen turned into another story in Kraft’s journey to the top.

“It’s a fun story to tell,” she said.

Kraft then slowly made her way through the ranks.

By the end of the competition it was down to two competitors: Kraft and Andrew “The Equation” Richard; who sported equations on his arms.

“The opponent I was up against was very intimidating,” Kraft said.

She said her opponent was in Mexico strictly for the competition, while she was in it for fun. She said her win took people by surprise because of her politeness and peppy attitude.

“I’m the only girl that’s ever gone to the final four,” Kraft said.

After being deemed champion, she called her mom to tell her the news.

“My mom didn’t believe me,” Kraft said. “She said ‘How much have you had to drink today?'”

The 2010 USA Rock Paper Scissors League Champion said many people had a hard time believing her story until they watched the videos, which were aired on mtvU.

“I was nervous, but at the same time it was spring break and I knew that I had made it pretty far,” Kraft said.

Kraft had only started playing rock paper scissors competitively during this year’s spring break.

Kraft used these three strategies in her games: the first draw “Whatever I felt,” Kraft said. The second “What they thought I was going to throw,” and her third draw, “Trump them.”

She also took advice from fellow competitor James “Birdman” Hawk.

“He was like my coach,” Kraft said.

Kraft said people around campus have recognized her since the competition was aired on mtvU on March 23 and 30.

“When I’m out and about everyone wants to challenge the college champion,” Kraft said. “To some people, I say I’m retired.”

She considers once again playing rock paper scissors competitively, but for now graduation is on her mind.

“I’m really excited to graduate college without any student loans due to Amp Energy,” Kraft said.

Kraft summed up her experience in Mexico by saying, “You never know what’s going to happen.”

Sam Bohne can be reached at 581-7942 or at shbohne@eiu.edu