Wichita State students will prepare for the end of the world this week by dodging, dashing and competing for a couple of six-foot trophies.

Whether their preparations were worth the effort will be revealed at the award ceremony for “Shocktoberfest 2012: The Final Countdown” next Monday. In the meantime, teams have formed and students have prepared to participate in this year’s events.

In its 21st year, Shocktoberfest has produced a number of popular events, but none eclipse the popularity of Songfest and the mud events.

“I love participating in the mud events. It’s always a great time, even when it’s freezing cold outside and you lose your shoes in the mud,” Kaitie Foley said.

Mud events happened earlier in the month, but the results from them will still be used to determine the overall Shocktoberfest champions. There are three divisions of competition: men’s, women’s and co-ed. Though the Shocktoberfest trophy is arguably the highest-prized award after the Hippodrome trophy, this celebration was not always about the competition.

“[Shocktoberfest] started as our Homecoming, then changed when we got rid of our football team,” Lacey Montague, SAC member, said. “It was kept as a spirit week. It’s meant to keep spirit up and get people participating.”

Students can participate in as many or as few events as they want. There are larger events like Dodgeball: Time’s Up! and smaller events like the banner, window and door decorating competitions. Those decorations are displayed around campus throughout the week.

Some students feel that Shocktoberfest events should happen all month, instead of being contained to one week. Spreading out the events could make it easier on students to take part in the festivities.

“I wish I had time to participate and that many more events were happening,” sophomore Nick Cox said.

Other students are satisfied with the current Shocktoberfest activities, but are open to additional events.

“I think the events we currently have are great, but I’m always game for more great times. If they developed new activities, I would definitely be on board,” Foley said.

One new event this year is the Doomsday Dash happening Thursday afternoon. Groups put together teams to participate in the four different legs of the relay race, Montague said. Whether this event will be as popular as the other Shocktoberfest staples remains to be seen.

One of those staples, Songfest, will take place next Monday, the last day of Shocktoberfest 2012: The Final Countdown. Student groups will take the stage in the lip-syncing competition as the winners of the banner competition are displayed behind them. This event is often a highlight for Shocktoberfest participants.

“My favorite part of Shocktoberfest is watching my [Delta Delta Delta] sisters and everyone else rock the stage for Songfest,” Foley said. “I participate in Shocktoberfest to not only bond with my sisters, but to meet other Greeks and make great connections.”

Though the Greek organizations make up a large portion of Shocktoberfest participants, the events are not limited to them. Many student organizations take part in the festivities, and Montague believes there are a lot more groups participating this year than there have been in years past.

Though the master roster for Shocktoberfest was due last week, students who want to participate in some of the events can still do so. Entry forms for Dodgeball: Times Up!, Doomsday Dash, and the can wars are due today by 5 p.m.