Snacker Challenge, a New Tech staple that is loved and cherished by all. For one day, our school is transformed into a spectacular circus, with pink streamers and canopies weighing down the roof, and numerous booths with bright lights vying for your money and attention.

The air buzzes with excitement as the aroma of nachos and freshly made pretzels overwhelms your sense of smell as you bite into waffles and chicken on a stick. Is it fit for human consumption? Maybe. But among the extravagant decorations, rolls of tickets, and busy booths, have you thought about all the details that go into creating this New Tech tradition?

Hailed by many as “the best Snacker yet,” the 2024 Snacker Challenge reportedly had the best decorations to date, with a whimsical circus theme. It had a circus canopy with streamers and balloons of every size, shape, and color. String lights hung in every place imaginable radiating their multicolored light. In the media center, the scene resembled a classic circus animal act, with inflatable tigers and other creatures peeking out from a makeshift cardboard cage.

An interview with Nicole Shirk, an NTC on the Snacker committee, helped us gain some insights into the process of creating this wonderful scene.

The planning of Snacker started in November/December, right after New Tech Gives Back. At that time, NTC started brainstorming ideas for a theme. Concurrently, other NTCs were organizing tickets. 

After the fundamental decisions were made, decoration became the primary focus for the Snacker committee. They spent hours with numerous volunteers putting up decorations and meticulously planning every aspect to the highest standard. 

However, some challenges arose. “Didn’t know what to do, didn’t know what everyone was doing,” said Nicole. “One thing that could be improved is more communication with the team leader, and staying locked in…but in the end, we did it.”

We did it indeed. Only at the price of $233.68, the success of the 2024 Snacker Challenge was a testament to the dedication and creativity of the Snacker committee. Despite operating on a smaller budget than in the previous year, they managed to create a spectacle that captivated students and facilitators alike.

As you walk around, you notice that the balloons and lights are only a part of the “Snacker Magic.” Individual booths, representing their networkings were the grandest part of the Snacker spectacle. With bright banners boasting bargains, and chefs cooking crude creations, Networking booths are arguably the most crucial component of the Snacker landscape. Some of the more notable booths include:

HEB: The HEB booth stood out with its alternating red and white pattern decorations, which perfectly adhered to the theme. It had red lanterns suspended from the ceiling, along with miniature plastic shopping carts that were given to customers. HEB’s booth showed a cohesive atmosphere for its customers, and exuded a sense of professionalism, making it one of the best attractions at Snacker. 

The Vasq and Furious: This booth was arguably one of the most engaging booths on this list, with an exhilarating high-speed game of Mario Kart being displayed on the Vivitek, increasing customer engagement. Demonstrating a commendable dedication to their theme, the booth was adorned with a striking contrast of black and white balloons, akin to checkered flags fluttering at the finish line of a race. These reasons exemplify why the Vasq and Furious had the most dynamic, fast-paced, and engaging booth.

Broadstreet, Life in the Dreamhouse: Another booth with an impressive design, Broadstreet, Life in the Dreamhouse had its characteristic pink streamers tucked into a little enclave, along with a bunch of Barbie posters hanging everywhere. Certainly an interesting design choice, but one that won the heart of this journalist.

As the two hours end, and the buzz in the air lulls, we’re left with memories of laughter, fun, and food. We’ll never forget the moments when someone in your Networking dropped a plate of nachos, or when your friend tried to chug an entire cup of butter brew. Everything from the mouth-watering treats and activities to the dazzling decorations left a lasting impression. It’s traditions like these that make New Tech unique and distinctive.