Venture ‘into the unknown’ at first Pearl Con since 2019

This Saturday’s Pearl Con V will be the first since 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though science teacher James Morrison has been planning the event since September, he has faced multiple challenges, including convincing others that it’s safe to attend.

“I think one challenge we’re gonna face is people understanding that COVID is over and that you can once again go out,” Morrison said. 

The “Into the Unknown” Pearl Con on May 13 is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The convention is a PTSA fundraiser and is open to the public. Admission is free. This year’s Pearl Con will feature an auction that includes a replica of Thors’ axe from “Avengers: Infinity War.” Matching the theme, cosplaying groups including The GhostBusters, The Rebel Legion and 501st Legion are scheduled to attend. Vendors, including Galaxy of Comics bookstore, will also be at Pearl Con.

Volunteer Colleen Elkins is promoting Pearl Con V to nearby middle schools so possible future students know this school exists and is available to them. She says a school as small as Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) doesn’t get recognition considering the school is surrounded by much larger schools. She also says it’s important to bring people from outside the community to help support the school.

“I believe it’s very important to support the schools that are in your community in order to make them the best that they can be,” Elkins said. “I hope this event will help to promote our school and to help the community know more about us. It’s the only fundraiser we’re having this year to be able to raise the funds that we need for the school.”

She says entertainment at Pearl Con will include face painting, a car show, board games and carnival games with prizes. 

“We’re kind of coming back from COVID and we’re trying to rebuild Pearl Con,” Elkins said. “There were some problems with getting back from COVID and making sure everybody had their licenses so that we’d be allowed to have Pearl Con. At Pearl Con, we want to promote local community vendors and stores.”

Morrison says he and former science teacher Stephen Schaffter helped create this annual event with the intention to spread amusement and geekism so he hopes students will enter Pearl Con with the mindset to just enjoy themselves and relax. 

“We have a lot of fun nerds on this campus,” Morrison said. “So let’s have essentially a party and bring the community together and help spread nerdom and enjoyment. We started with a basic comic convention that became multiple things.”