10th Annual Trivium Faculty Gingerbread House Contest is A Festive Tradition

Archway Trivium and Trivium Prep December 21, 2024 -

For the faculty at Archway Trivium and Trivium Prep, the final week before winter break is one of the busiest and most demanding times of the year. To cap off the whirlwind of grading, planning, and student events, the campus community comes together for a much-needed way to blow off some steam. This is where the Annual Faculty Gingerbread House Contest comes in. This is the 10th year the academy has held this faculty event, and it proved once again to be a highlight of the holiday season for them.

Held in the gymnasium, the contest brought together faculty from both the lower and upper schools that reside on the campus to showcase their creativity, teamwork, and competitive spirit. With 21 teams of approximately 10 team members each participating, the energy in the room was apparent as colleagues transformed everyday edible materials into imaginative gingerbread structures. The categories for competition included Best Traditional Gingerbread, Best Freestyle (structures made with alternatives like graham crackers or Rice Krispies), and Best Overall.

The rules were straightforward yet encouraged maximum creativity. Teams could bring pre-made frosting, gingerbread pieces, and unformed Rice Krispies but were not allowed to preassemble any part of their structures beforehand. While the base could be made of any material, the outer structure had to be completely edible. Teams were responsible for bringing their own supplies, with gingerbread kits available upon request.

The gym was transformed. But it wasn’t all work, as the gym was also filled with holiday music, laughter, and the smell of gingerbread. Faculty members arrived with an assortment of snacks to share from fruit bowls, chips and dip, cookies, and more. An inflatable gingerbread man danced amongst the teams, cheering them on. Despite the lighthearted nature of the event, the competition was fierce, with teams aiming to outdo each other in both architectural skill and holiday spirit. As the finish time grew closer, the music and friendly banter subsided as the team members scurried around to put the finishing touches on their structures before the buzzer went off.

After an intense session of building and decorating, the winners were announced to an enthusiastic crowd filled with anticipation.

Team 16 won the Traditional Gingerbread category with their scaled model of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris), using grand gingerbread walls to create the tall structure and adorned with peppermint stick columns.

Team 13 took the win for the fun Freestyle category. They used licorice ropes to make a wrestling arena, complete with Rice Krispie shaped wrestler figures made to look like the two schools’ headmasters.

But the Best Overall went to team 19, who captured the essence of the beloved 1900 classic by L. Frank Baum, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” complete with the yellow brick road, a field of poppies, the Emerald City, and the castle of the Wicked Witch. The scene also included gingerbread figures of Glinda the Good, Dorothy, the Scarecrow, The Tin Woodsman, and the Cowardly Lion.

The joy and excitement in the room were contagious as teams celebrated their victories and admired each other’s creations. For many, the contest was not just about winning but about connecting with colleagues and recharging their spirits before the holiday break.

This cherished tradition allows faculty to unwind, bond, and revel in the holiday spirit, providing a much-needed escape from the pressures of the academic calendar. Here’s to another decade of gingerbread masterpieces, festive fun, and letting off steam at the campus. Because at Archway Trivium and Trivium Prep, even the busiest times deserve a little sweetness.

Watch a previous year’s competition here:

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