Over 220 Ontario high school students travelled to campus last week, competing head-to-head in the first annual University of Guelph Business Pentathlon, hosted by the College of Business and Economics.
The Business Pentathlon was designed by U of G undergraduate business students, and invited Ontario high school students to campus to compete in five fun and challenging business-focused events, which tested their business knowledge, communication and leadership skills.
The competition had 56 teams from across 24 Ontario high schools, ranging from as far as Markham to Windsor. Teams were divided into a senior league and a junior league and competed for the top three prizes in each competition, as well as a first overall prize at the senior and junior levels.
The five events were:
- Gryphons’ Den: students put their creativity and innovation skills to the test in this entrepreneurial challenge. Competitors were provided materials and tools to create their own product for the consumer market, with a last-minute twist.
- Triple Bottom Line: the University of Guelph puts an emphasis on corporate social responsibility and sustainability across its academics and research. In this event, students worked with their teammates to dissect a case on sustainable efforts taken by modern businesses and developed an exciting and sustainable solution to a business problem.
- BizBuzz: teams went head-to-head answering a variety of business-focused trivia questions. Topics ranged from industry trends to student life, and everything in between.
- Business Bonanza: this was a multi-stage challenge that put teamwork and communication skills to the ultimate test. Throughout this event, students were faced with challenges that effect various business disciplines and industries.
- Business 101: from start to finish, this event tested students on various job-related activities. Dressing to impress, interviewing techniques and networking capabilities were all covered in this fast-paced event.
First place overall in the Senior league was Team 59 from William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute, in North York. Team 13 from Rick Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga won first place in the Junior league. Congratulations to all teams for their incredible showings.
The event would not have been possible without the tremendous effort by U of G business students, and the help from staff and student volunteers. Thank you to everyone involved!
First place - Senior league
First place overall in the Senior league was Team 59 from William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute, in North York
First place - Junior league.
First place overall in the junior league was Team 13 from Rick Hansen Secondary School in Mississauga.
Biz Buzz
Students participating in the trivia game, Biz Buzz
Awards Ceremony
A packed house at the U of G's Athletic Centre for the Awards Ceremony
