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By Josie Sellers
Students , teachers and staff pulled out all the stops for the annual holiday door-decorating contest at Coshocton Elementary School . “ You are going to see a lot of variety ,” said Megan Crook , literacy coach , who helped organize the contest . “ Some of the teams really embraced their themes , and when you walk in , you are going to smell and taste the themes .”
Judges first stop on the Dec . 9 tour around the school was the preschool / therapy area . They were taken on a home for the holidays journey and greeted by smiling preschoolers .
The kindergarteners made sure to give the judges a sweet treat . When entering their gingerbread wonderland , students were there and ready to hand out fresh gingerbread cookies . The young helpers then followed the judges through the hall , making sure they wouldn ’ t forget the catchy song that matched their theme .
Before heading up to the sixthgrade floor , Principal Tony Meiser warned the judges a rivalry existed with them .
“ They really stepped up their game ,” he said .
The sixth-graders had a Candyland theme . Upon entering their wing , judges were encouraged to pick a card and find a special treat . Then after touring the area , they could take treats from a table covered with candy and cookies .
The judges then traveled down
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to the first-grade area , where they were welcomed to the North Pole . Cookies , stickers and even toys were presented to the judges .
Second-graders used their classroom doors to explain the life cycle of snowmen . The
“You are going to see a lot of variety . Some of the teams really embraced their themes , and when you walk in , you are going to smell and taste the themes .” Megan Crook
fourth-graders showed their Real Redskin spirit , and third-graders created a winter wonderland .
Their tour then wrapped up in the main office with a special message from office staff member Chris Campbell .
“ Now that you ’ ve seen the rest , welcome to the best ,” she said as she popped out of Rudolph ’ s stall . “ Do you want to play reindeer games ?”
Sixth-grade student council members helped Campbell create
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the scene in the main office .
“ They had so much fun ,” she said . “ They wanted to give up their lunch to come in here and work .”
The judges , who were from the Coshocton County Leadership and Youth Leadership programs , were led around the school by Meiser and Crook .
Youth Leadership class members and Coshocton High School juniors Isabelle Lauvray and Emily Johnson enjoyed being back in the building .
“ This brings back a lot of memories ,” Lauvray said .
Johnson agreed . “ I enjoyed seeing all the students and what the kids made .”
Judges met in the conference room to discuss awards based on originality , neatness , student involvement , overall individual door and overall team design . Winners were as follows : — Originality : second grade ,
“ The Life Cycle of a Snowman .” — Neatness : preschool / therapy , “ Home for the Holidays .” — Student Involvement : kindergarten , “ Gingerbread .”
— Best Overall Individual : 304 Mrs . Brooks , “ Snowglobe Ecosystems .”
— Best Overall Team : first grade , “ The North Pole .”
“ We want the kids to feel proud of this and happy to be here ,” Meiser said . “ When they are glad to be here and feel safe , they are going to learn more .”
The winners will receive certificates , and the best overall and best overall team awards come with doughnuts .
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Josie Sellers
Zander Ruby , a first-grader at Coshocton Elementary School , encouraged judges to pick a toy while walking through the first-graders ’ version of The North Pole . He is pictured with judge Nathan Gibson .
Josie Sellers These first-graders turned reindeer showed off their antlers to the judges .
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