Freeland’s Tiger Time wins Holmes door decorating contest

Holmes Junior High celebrated the holiday season with its second annual door decorating competition, held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 15. Tiger Time classes participated by decorating their classroom doors using supplies from their classrooms or materials brought from home. The event highlighted student creativity, teamwork and school spirit.

The winning entry was “Candy Cane Lane,” created by Stephanie Freeland’s Tiger Time class. The door featured bright lights, balloons and tinsel, creating a festive and eye-catching display.

Freeland said the class focused on making the display as large and noticeable as possible.

“Although it looks extravagant, it really just is some lights, balloons and tinsel,” Freeland said.

Michael Goodenbour’s Tiger Time class received an honorable mention for its gingerbread-themed door. Goodenbour and Hannah Becker assisted students throughout the decorating process.

“We are making a gingerbread-themed door, and my favorite part about it is that I got to bond with all of my students,” Goodenbour said.

Several classes drew inspiration from pop culture, including the Netflix series Stranger Things, which released a new season on Nov. 26. Bristol Miller and Alexa Chevalier helped bring the “Upside Down” to life in Hartz’s ninth-grade Tiger Time class.

Miller took responsibility for creating the wood design at home.

“We all decided on Stranger Things because we knew it would be a fun idea,” Miller said.

Although Chevalier said she has never watched the show, she still wanted to participate in the project.

“Right now, it is looking a little bit scary, but I think that we can get there,” Chevalier said.

Alaina Steger’s Tiger Time class also chose a Stranger Things theme. Student Kyah Koppes said the class wanted to showcase the entrance into the Upside Down.

“My favorite part has to be the Christmas tree because I think it was such a cool decoration to add, and I put a lot of hard work into making it,” Koppes said.

In the library, Jennifer Paulsen’s Tiger Time class created a unique display featuring Snoopy playing Clash of Clans. Student Emery Popenhagen said the idea came from student suggestions and continued to grow as the project developed.

“I really like how Snoopy is just chilling there like he does not have a care in the world,” Popenhagen said.

Another creative entry came from Ryan Droste’s Tiger Time class, which decorated its door with the theme “Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.” Ninth-grader Emma Stearns said the class wanted to have fun with the concept.

“I saw this on Pinterest, and the idea is that our principal is rocking around the Christmas tree,” Stearns said. “I really like that Mr. Rottinghaus and Mr. Becker’s faces are the ornaments.”

The competition showcased a wide range of themes and ideas, allowing students to express themselves creatively while working together as a class. Organizers said the event will likely continue as a holiday tradition at Holmes Junior High.