Students Celebrate Holiday Spirit and Culinary Arts Through CPA Virtual Gingerbread House Contest 

The holiday season at Colorado Preparatory Academy and Pikes Peak Online School was filled with creativity and festive cheer as students participated in a virtual Gingerbread House Contest. This fun and engaging event gave students in grades K-12 from across Colorado an opportunity to showcase their artistic talents, connect with peers, and celebrate the season in a unique way. 

From elementary school to high school, students were invited to design and construct edible masterpieces. The contest had specific rules to follow; all components of the gingerbread house had to be edible, each house required four walls, a roof, and a walkway, and the structure had to stand on its own. Participants submitted photos of their creations, which were judged on creativity, design, and holiday spirit. 

The submissions highlighted the students’ ingenuity, with designs ranging from traditional gingerbread cottages to imaginative winter wonderlands. Winners were recognized across three categories: elementary, middle, and high school, and were announced in early January! 

The winners are… 

Elementary School 

1st Place “Mickey Mouse Themed”: Hazel Lopez, 2nd grade, CPA, Windsor, CO 

2nd Place “Jesus is the Reason for the Season Themed”: Mercy Beltran, Kindergarten, CPA, Fort Collins, CO 

3rd Place “Minions Themed”: Leilany Juarez, 3rd grade, CPA, Brush, CO 

Middle School 

1st Place “The Hobbit Themed”: Sarah Smith, 7th grade, CPA, Commerce City, CO 

2nd Place ‘Star Ward Themed”: Nalany Juarez, 8th grade, CPA, Brush, CO 

3rd Place “The Gingerbread Row”: Kimberlynn Baker, 8th grade, CPA, Pueblo, CO 

High School 

1st Place “Snow Miser Themed”: John Onufrak, 10th grade, CPA, Weldona, CO 

2nd Place “Gingerbread Family”: Kiara DuPree, 12th grade, CPA, Firestone, CO 

3rd Place “Batman Themed”: Osmar Juarez, 10th grade, CPA, Brush, CO 

A Celebration of Connections and Creativity 

“This contest provided a wonderful opportunity for our students to connect with one another, express their creativity, and share in the joy of the holiday season,” said Nicole Tiley, Head of School at Colorado Preparatory Academy. “We are so proud of all the participants and their impressive designs.” 

The Gingerbread House Contest is a testament to the schools’ dedication to building a vibrant community, even in a virtual learning environment even during winter break. These online public schools go beyond academics to ensure students have access to engaging activities that foster creativity, connection, and fun. 

Congratulations to all the winners and participants for their fantastic creations! To learn more about competitions and events, visit our events page here. 

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