APB busts out graham crackers and gift cards for gingerbread house contest

Shippensburg University students and borough residents alike gathered in teams in the university's Reisner Dining Hall on Wednesday, Dec. 2, for a gingerbread house-making contest hosted by the university's Activities Program Board (APB). According to APB president Kristina Carey, the contest is something APB has wanted to do since at least last semester.

Each of the six teams who signed up was guaranteed a package of graham crackers and a container of either vanilla or chocolate icing, but most teams also brought their own extras, with the extras ranging from blue candy canes to cereal to Razzles candy. The decorating began at almost right at 5 p.m. and went all the way through to 6:30 p.m., at which point the teams ceased decoration and judging began. The gingerbread houses were judged on three major categories: which one was the cutest, which one was the most delectable and finally, which one was the most magnificent?

Sub-categories included house structure, design, use of color, pattern and detail and even whether or not the house included a yard. As the judges looked over the gingerbread houses, the teams chatted to themselves off to the side, with several of the teams putting their plans together for next year. Finally, the winners were announced. First place and a set of $50 gift cards went to a team called Boro, who actually built two separate inside views of their house. Second place went to Team Snow People, who received $25 gift cards for their entire team, while third went to Team Secret Santa, who each received $10 gift cards.

Even though the other three teams came away with nothing but their gingerbread houses, everyone was happy they came. Reasons for coming varied, with some, like Holly Hensel of Shippensburg borough coming out just because it was something to do. Others, like sophomore Kelly Sullivan and junior Sarah Loughran, came as a way to escape the pressures of work and the upcoming finals. Regardless of their reasons, everyone was happy to just take the night off, put on some Christmas music and relax.