🍪🏆 Two Black Mountain Primary School classes placed in the top 10 during this year’s National Gingerbread Competition, hosted by the Omni Grove Park Inn.
Ashley Styles’ kindergarteners took third place in the Child category for their entry, “A Christmas Wagon,” while Katie Hogan’s second graders placed in the top 10 for their “Butterfly Garden” display. Partaking in the annual gingerbread house competition is a Black Mountain Primary tradition reaching back more than 20 years. Each fall, students spend several weeks mixing dough, cutting shapes, baking, icing, constructing, and adding imaginative touches during scheduled build days. The hands-on project blends math, science, reading, teamwork, and fine-motor skills.
“We’re working on the wagon,” kindergartner Riley said during one of the build days. “I’m doing part of the wheels.”
“I like putting the sprinkles on,” said classmate Ellie.
Students were thrilled to see their work recognized, and teachers celebrated the deep learning and joyful memories the project created.
“Some of the kids didn’t even believe it was gingerbread,” Styles said. “They’re in awe of what people can build. Projects like this give them a purpose in learning. They get to see why they need numbers and why reading matters.”
“It’s the memories,” Hogan added. “I hear kids years later say, ‘I got to do this part!’ They love remembering what they built.”