Students who enrolled in the Grade 10 business course were given the opportunity to display their creativity and innovation through the Funplex Fair. Funplex involves students conceptualizing potential ideas of their own unique family entertainment centers, and later implementing them. The intent of North Park’s yearly Funplex Fair is to have our marvelous 10th grade business students display their creativity and enthusiasm for the course.
This year’s 2024 Funplex Fair involved a variety of displays, which were showcased in the cafeteria to friends, peers, and other students.
“It was such a vibrant environment,” said Neil, a North Park student who came to view the Funplex event in the cafeteria. The environment was also competitive, for each business was pitted against each other in a battle to get the most votes. The grade 10s were tasked with making an elevator pitch to drive customers to their stand. Some groups garnered customer attention through games that they made themselves. There was a custom air hockey table, chemistry experiment, VR flight simulator, and even an exploding volcano. Many other groups convinced viewers to vote for them through their extensive visual displays.
These students worked very hard to get to the point they did and experience the competitive and stressful atmosphere on the day of the Funplex. Their preparation was intense, with them constantly practicing their pitch in an attempt to memorize it and execute it perfectly in only 5 days.
On Wednesday, May 15, 2024, it was finally time for the top-voted booths (Air Hockey Arena from Mrs. McKay’s class, Board Life, Chem Labz and Craftopia from Mrs.Blazina’s Class, and UnderWater World from Mr.Andres’ class) to face off against each other to earn the title of “Funplex Winners.” All the groups looked well put together in either business attire or synchronized outfits and matching colors.
There were three judges overall to decide the fates of these five groups. All of the judges were North Park graduates, and they’d all pursued some sort of career in the business world. The judges, along with the enthusiasm from the audience, helped to determine the winner of the competition. The audience members visited from semester-two business classes to hype up their fellow classmates and friends to maintain a positive attitude during the presentations. Once all the groups executed their perfect pitches, it was time for lunch!
Lunch was offered by the business teachers to the competing groups, who enjoyed yummy eggplant lasagna, chicken, and barbecued vegetables. After all their hard work, it paid off for one group. Craftopia were announced the winners of the semester two 2024 Funplex competition, and Mrs. Blazina continues to remain the reigning winner within the competition amongst the business teachers! Though there was only one winner overall, all of the groups should be very proud of being in the top 5 out of 26 and for making it this far into the competition. It was an entertaining battle, and maybe next year we’ll see even more innovative ideas!
THE NORTH STAR 