Mat-Su students showcase trade skills in annual Gingerbread Build-Off competition

The Mat-Su Home Builders Association (MSHBA) recently hosted its annual Great Gingerbread Build-Off, a hands-on competition designed to celebrate Career and Technical Education (CTE) and introduce students to the value of careers in the skilled trades.

The event brought together local high school students from construction, culinary, and related CTE programs to collaborate on the design and construction of creative gingerbread structures. And this year, students from Houston High School faced competition from Mat-Su Career and Technical High School, as they all were challenged to apply real-world skills such as teamwork, planning, structural design, and craftsmanship—mirroring the collaboration required in the construction and building industries.

This is the third year for the Build-Off, and while teambuilding, creativity, and skills were required, another lesson students learn is resilience, as most professionals will tell you that as some dream big on their creations, as part of the process, there is also a time when adapting and changing course is also needed.

This year saw entries that included the Eiffel Tower, The North Pole (which had working lights), The Oven Fights Back, and what 2025 competition wouldn’t be complete without a nod to the vague yet ubiquitous 6-7?

This year’s competition concluded with an impressive showing by Houston High School, which swept the competition by earning 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place honors, resulting in a total of $2,000 in ‘Tools of the Trade’ scholarship funds awarded to Houston High School students.

The 1st Place project, titled “Oven Fights Back,” stood out to online voters for its creativity, design, and fully displayed the effective collaboration between student teams. Judges and community voters alike praised the projects for their attention to detail and strong representation of trade-related skills.

“The Gingerbread Build-Off is about more than just creativity—it’s about showing students how their classroom skills translate into real careers,” said Sarah Lazzarotto, executive director with the Mat-Su Home Builders Association. “Seeing Houston High School take all three top spots is a testament to the strength of their CTE programs and the dedication of both students and instructors.”

The Gingerbread Build-Off supports MSHBA’s ongoing mission to promote education and career pathways in construction and the skilled trades through its Tools of the Trade Scholarship Program, which provides financial support to students pursuing hands-on, career-focused education.

The Mat-Su Home Builders Association represents professionals across the building industry and is committed to supporting workforce development, education, and community partnerships throughout the Mat-Su Valley.

For more information about the Great Gingerbread Build-Off or the Tools of the Trade Scholarship, visit www.matsuhomebuilders.com