Creating Christmas Competition

by Gioia Calzetta, reporter

FAIRHOPE, Ala.–Teachers compete in a friendly door decorating competition the week before midterms. The event, coordinated by family and consumer sciences teacher Elizabeth Orfanello, allows teachers creativity to decorate. Retired teacher Diane Garza will act as judge. Garza organized the event in previous years.

Each teacher takes a different approach to decorate their doors. Whether it involves hanging snowflakes, presents or even the faces of school administrators, the doors are sure to be interesting.

“What motivated Mrs. Orfanello and me is we wanted to decorate our doors with something that we could leave up for part of January, but still be festive for the Christmas Season,” said Stacey Weakley, digital marketing teacher. 

With countless themes, each door represents a different element of Christmas, while also representing each individual teacher’s personality and interests. 

“We decided on the ‘Merry Madagascar’ theme. The doorway is going to be set in the igloo scene with ice blocks and snow and the four penguins from the movie, ‘Skipper, Kowalski, Private & Rico,’” Weakley said. 

Many doors feature a recurring, hilarious addition: the face of administrators.

“We’ll finish it up by putting administrator faces on the penguins along with their funny quotes,” Weakley said. 

For the past week, teachers and students worked on the doors during study hall and their free time. Teachers share their creative freedom with students and allow them input on door decor.

Student Government Association also hosts the 12 Days of Teacher Appreciation. Each day, a teacher’s name is drawn from a raffle. That teacher receives  a gift provided by sponsors and presented by an SGA representative. 

Judging for the doors takes place Monday, December 11.