Students involved in DECA recently undertook a construction project- building gingerbread houses.
“This was just something fun to get everyone to interact together, bond, make new friends and just have a fun holiday,” DECA sponsor Lauren Mandel said.
The gathering included DECA members of all grade levels and allowed them to group together to work on their masterpieces. This activity not only gave them a fun holiday craft but allowed them to gain team building experience.
“I think with DECA you have to work in groups whether it is in class or on your… projects,” Mandel said. “So having to work in groups and getting to know all the different members is super important to help grow and succeed.”
The members were able to collaborate on a project, but the task at hand was less stressful than their usual business-oriented activities.
PHOTO BY CASEY CHAPTER
“It is just a fun event to get to know people, have fun with your friends, and build a gingerbread house…” junior DECA member Amanda Guzman said.
The friendly competition also served as a learning experience for the students, as they were divided into teams to complete the activity. In groups of four or five, the students had to work together to construct these masterpieces.
“There is definitely a lot of teamwork going on,” President Matthew Plonskier said. “You have to coordinate who is doing what to build the house, a lot of frosting, different slabs of gingerbread going on, so it is a lot to coordinate.”
Those who attended competed against other teams to construct the most visually appealing gingerbread house, as judged by Mandel and the DECA officers. But aside from the competition, students enjoyed the social aspects of this event.
“I think this was successful, it was fun and I think that everyone
PHOTO BY CASEY CHAPTER
got to socialize which is what they planned for,” senior member Caroline Dejtiar said.
With the holiday season in full swing, the gathering gave DECA members an opportunity to mingle before winter break. This allowed the club members to bond and grow closer during a busy time of the year.
“I think it is just since it is the week before the holidays begin, it is kind of like a ‘happy holidays,’ have fun kind of thing,” Guzman said.
Even for those inexperienced in gingerbread house construction, the event was a fun learning experience.
“I do not know how to make gingerbread houses, this is my first time,” Guzman said. “[But] it is fun getting icing on your fingers.”
PHOTOS BY CASEY CHAPTER
