All 5 winners of CPSkool and CPSkool's founder.
L-R: Stickie408, Bumbleface, Matbolabc, Penguin874, Checkers4562, 11laura110
Matbolabc's Speech
I still find it hard to believe that this entire community started only 2 and a half years ago... I almost feel like I've known you guys all my life... Maybe it's because I couldn't picture living my life without having met all of you. For the past few years I have always had a place to go where I could just be me... a place where I can stay away from the harsh and judgmental world. A place where I felt like I mattered.
This community has given me so much confidence in myself and I now understand that there are people out there who love me. Because of this boost of confidence I have grown out of my shell in my real life, and I have met many great people and befriended new people... I feel like I am ready to go out and find my place in the world.
Of course, we would not be a community if it weren't for the gameshow aspect of CPSkool. CPSkool was a fun ordeal that brought each and everyone of us closer together, and gave us such an amount of joy and hope in ourselves... even though it seems like a simple concept, the only person who would truly understand would have to compete in one.
I think it says a lot for CPSkool, having started out as very young teenagers without an ounce of experience. Because of this we were an easy target for an orange adversary who fails to see that a gameshow is not about its host... but about the contestants. But that is an old story that nobody wants to hear again, because at the end of the day hope is what kept this place alive. Hope is what fueled myself into each and every hour that I've spent on CPSkool Forever, the previous 4 seasons, and the chat. Life without hope is pointless.
Of course all great things have to come to an end... but I know CPSkool is greater than that. Those who were directly involved in CPSkool and those who have participated will never forget CPSkool... And for me I will always keep the memories I've spent here close to my heart.
The connection did not come from flashy graphics, overly-complex posts, or from a massive ego from either of the hosts. The reason everyone here today still remains is because through the best and worst of CPSkool we have all pushed forward and have grown into a family. I honestly consider a vast majority of people on our chat room as family, and I know some of them feel the same way towards me.
In summary, I think that the bond each and everyone of us feel is very real. Some might say that online friendships are not real... But what about online friendships that have lasted years, ones that have reached closer to real life through Facebook, Skype, and Tinychat.... In the end what defines friendship in my mind is love for one another... always being there for each other... and understanding each other.... therefore the friendships that CPSkool has made are very real, and the love all of us share will continue to grow past the boundaries of Club Penguin and into our hearts.
Penguin874's Speech
I remember all the way back to those first few days of the development of this recently ended season. Our main goal was to take our experiences from the previous four adventures, improve on them, take into account what works for the people around chat, and make it all happen. However, there was something else that I think made this season the definite best out of all our seasons. Heck, CPSkool Forever alone could stand as its own gameshow, even if it were just this. Why is that?
All season long, we intended on staying away from Club Penguin challenges (except for the first and last ones). This season took into account the possibility of a gameshow that takes advantage of actually using Internet games other than our ol' CP. We played Snakeban, Pandanda, trivia (although, I think trivia is in pretty much everything). In the end, I believe my personal expectations were blown out of proportions this time around, and I think that a large chunk of the congratulations should be handed out to the community (yes, I mean you as well).
CPSkool has really evolved as a website, which is a very obvious statement, but it's true. I've spent a lot of time pondering at how fast we've grown, how close we've grown, and how our abilities and talents have grown and have been put into this amazing task of hosting a fifth season. I'm extremely grateful for Happywagon's retirement, not in a negative fashion, but in an indirect thank you sort of fashion. Happy was a great guy who hosted the chat where all of the owners of CPSkool met. Right around the time he decided to let go of CP (which is what we're doing at the moment), it basically gave CPSkool a chance to build up traffic on its chat. Unlike Frosty's rants about how a chat isn't necessary for a gameshow, I think it's vital.
Once we were able to grow as a community, and we were starting to give off a reputation of a stable website, it allowed us to build stronger relationships and experiences with the group of people who chose our site as a hangout, a safe haven from personal problems, a way to forget hard times and have a laugh or two. This was all the way back in 2009-2010. In 2010, as I hope all of you know, is when we ended Season 4 and I disagreed with the idea of continuing on.
Looking back at this decision, I'm amazed at how extraordinarily beneficial it was. Back in 2010, Mat's graphical skills were great, but comparing them to today's style is like comparing cave paintings to a work from da Vinci. I was completely terrible at writing back around the time of season 4, and I think I could still use a lot more work to this day. Because we "waited" a year (I use quotes because we weren't planning on a season 5 until about a year after the "final" season), our skills progressed. We became more mature. We were different people, a lot more experienced and older. So, at that point, it seemed like we were at a peak, which was a perfect signal to have yet another season...and then, here we are.
Ok, I guess I will stop with the pondering of my past, especially since most of you already knew about this. I just...can't believe we managed to pull it off. We used non-Club Penguin websites to make a season worth remembering, and with a non-Club Penguin related chat room, I think we're finally reaching that final step...moving on from these fine experiences.
Like in the finale results post, I'd like to thank everyone who has made your impact on our community. I won't name a list because it would take a couple years to write down everyone who fits the criteria. However, I would like to specifically thank our active mods: Alexa, Andreia, Andy, Lewis, Spoil, Andre, Bumble (our winner of season 5), Checkers (our winner of season 3), and Penny. You have all earned your spots, and I hope to see you on chat now that we've officially transformed.
As for the owners, I'd like to thank GK for his help in the efforts for the development of the season, as he was a big influence on the challenges and what worked when it came to tickets and surprises. I'd like to thank Sand for her amazing artwork and coding skills shown in her Souvenir Shop. Sadly, it is down at the moment for some strange reason, but I'm sure you all remember the impression it gave you when you first saw it. Kellie, you have been an amazing help not only in the season, but with your work on chat. You didn't directly take part in the development of the season, but you've been a great friend and you've done your part in making this happen with your advice and belief in the project.
As for Mat, he already knows what I think. His graphics are beyond outstanding at this point, his diplomacy on chat is something I couldn't handle, and his tears, sweat, and blood have all been poured in buckets into this season happening (hopefully not literally). At the most stressful of moments, he didn't give up, which definitely, without a doubt, shows his perseverance and determination. Without his help, this would be possible, but it would not be 3,000,000 times as great as it has gone. Thanks for your time, Mat, and happy belated birthday.
And, for everyone, I'd like to wish you all luck in your future endeavors, and I would only hope that you take a second or two to fully realize what we have accomplished here in only about two years. I can't believe that I am writing this while taking part in the transformation I've been awaiting for a long while: a transformation into a teenage hangout, what CPSkool has basically become, gameshow or no gameshow, and I hope it continues to grow as a family over the course of the next couple centuries or so.
Maybe even more.
Thanks for your participation in...
-Penguin874 & Matbolabc
CPSkool Founder and Former Host
If you want, leave a comment on this post, and tell us your favorite memories of CPSkool.
