Students De-Stress at Honors College Gingerbread Competition
More than 100 students got a sweet study break courtesy of the Honors College at the sixth annual Gingerbread Competition that took place on Dead Day last Friday, Dec. 7.
“It’s a fun way for students to blow off steam during finals,” said Noah Pittman, assistant director of recruitment in the Honors College. “And this year more than 100 students registered – that’s the most we’ve ever had!”
On a supply run earlier that week, Pittman cleaned out the supply of graham crackers at a local Walmart and made a serious dent in the store’s stock of canned frosting, candy canes, cherry sours, peppermints and sprinkles. No matter. Just one-half hour into the event, a crew was dispatched to buy more sugary supplies.
The students used the sweet stuff to maximum impact, crafting everything from campus landmarks such as Bell Engineering and the Greek Theater to interstellar spacecraft. Dr. Who’s “Tardis” time machine inspired two teams, while another team recreated the closing scene from Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, right down to a gummy bear pulling the Grinch’s sleigh.
The Harry Potter books inspired several entries, including team #17’s “Hogwarts in the Winter Time,” an elaborate graham cracker castle studded with ice cream cone turrets and liberally slathered with pink frosting. “Just put icing on there, put icing on everything, and we’ll powder sugar it,” team supervisor Chris Crow enthused, as he burst open a powdered sugar bag to spectacular effect. Team 17’s “more is more” design philosophy resonated with the judges; “Hogwarts in the Winter Time” placed first in the competition. In second place was a beautifully detailed recreation of New York City’s Chrysler Building by Team #10, which included several first-year architecture students among its ranks. Third place went to Team #11’s interpretation of Dr. Who’s blue time machine, and fourth place went to Team #7’s loving recreation of the Whos of Whoville singing around a Christmas tree.
Topics
Contacts
Kendall Curlee, director of communications
Honors College
479-575-2024,
kcurlee@uark.edu
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