Students decorate Christmas creations

There was evident excitement in the air, while Bay Haven third-graders began their celebration of the holiday season by making gingerbread houses in their classroom Dec. 1. Under the direction of their teacher, Michala Magenheim-Morganti, known to her students as “Ms. M&M,” the youngsters created four houses covered with gumdrops, candy canes and gummies nestled on “snow-covered” roofs.

This is the first time the youngsters have competed in the annual Community Youth Development gingerbread-house event sponsored by the Sarasota YMCA. It takes place this weekend at Westfield Sarasota Square Mall.

And, the kids are also engaged in another holiday project. The class has adopted, through the Sarasota YMCA, 40 homeless teenagers and is gathering items for Christmas stockings for them. Each stocking will be accompanied by handmade cards from the students.

Assisting with the gingerbread house project were parents Victor Sosa and Jennifer DeMichele.