Health Center and Habitat for Humanity Hosts Gingerbread House Contest

by Rebecca Lois Axford

The health center, in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity, hosted a gingerbread house contest this week. Contestants were expected to turn in submissions by 5 p.m. on Dec. 6. Judging took place on Dec. 8, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Nine houses were submitted, into three categories: Bulldog Pride, House of Luther and Classic Christmas. A prize was also awarded for Best in Show, as well as a Presidential Award. Eleven students or groups signed up, but only nine actually entered a house. When they signed up, students were given a basic Gingerbread house kit. Additional candy was available for a small price from Habitat for Humanity. Some students creatively used their own resources as well, such as an empty butter container from the cafeteria standing in for a grill.

Emily Meisinger took first in the Classic Christmas category, with a nativity scene. Samantha Liermann and Adrianna Shaw took first in the Bulldog Pride category and achieved the Presidential award with a “Dawg House” gingerbread house. Robin Consier, Tabatha Jones, and Anna Meyer took first in the House of Luther and Best of Show categories with an adaptation of the Lutherhaus in Wittenberg, Germany.

“We’ve had these contests before,”Campus Nurse Andreea Baker said. “In 2013 we had gingerbread house contests. Habitat for Humanity wanted to get their name out there and so they sponsored this.”

Habitat for Humanity is an international organization that builds or improves homes for people who need them. Locally, they rake yards and do other lawn care, in addition to building houses. In the spring, Seward County Habitat for Humanity will likely send a team to help build a house somewhere.

“It’s another fun way to take the stress off and do something fun as a stress reliever,” Baker said. Her favorite entry was Emily Mesinger’s nativity scene.