Winter Wonderland

BAVTS recently held its annual Holiday Bazaar Dec. 13, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Various classes participated in the event this year, including Graphic Communications, Esthetics, Mechatronics, Health Careers, Culinary, Bake Shop, World Travelers Club and BAVTS Spirit Wear. That same day, from 8-10 a.m., BAVTS hosted a Breakfast with Santa in the school cafeteria. After purchasing tickets, guests were treated to breakfast and had the opportunity to meet Santa and take photos with him.

Holiday decorations have been installed throughout the school, with the front lobby featuring a variety of holiday-themed displays. In the lobby, staff prepared a small treat for students which included hot chocolate, lollipops and other candy.

In addition to the lobby, students are decorating classroom doors for a competition. All classes that signed up for the event will compete against one another for the chance to win a class pizza party.

One of the holiday displays created by the Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences students at BAVTS transforms the hallway outside their classroom into a cheerful, welcoming winter scene. The space is filled with handmade decorations, including oversize paper snowflakes hanging from the ceiling, festive string lights and colorful paper chains that frame the display and highlight the students’ work.

A central winter vignette features student-created holiday characters such as gingerbread figures, snowmen, and decorated trees, arranged against a snowy backdrop. A sign reading “Share a Treat, See Where Aevidum Meets” highlights the start of the Aevidum Program. It reinforces the theme of kindness, generosity and emotional warmth – all values closely connected to mental health awareness. Another display labeled “Mrs. Claus’ Bakery” adds a playful, imaginative element while showcasing student creativity and collaboration.

On the wall beside the classroom door, individual gingerbread cutouts display student names, emphasizing inclusion, belonging and community.

Overall, the display reflects intentional design, teamwork and creativity. It demonstrates how students applied mental-health concepts – such as creating supportive environments, fostering connection and spreading positivity – into a real-world, schoolwide setting. The result is a festive, inclusive space that brings warmth and joy to the BAVTS community during the holiday season.

HOSA held a Gingerbread House decorating contest Dec. 16, bringing students together to showcase their creativity and teamwork. Students formed teams of four to five and were provided with a gingerbread house, frosting and decorative items. Students were also allowed to bring up to three outside edible items to use in their design. The top three teams with the most votes earned the chance to get out of class Dec. 17 to watch Christmas movies with hot cocoa and snacks, with the first place team choosing the movie.

Krispy Kreme doughnut sales for NTHS ended Dec. 11, with members selling a total of 814 boxes of doughnuts and 30 bags of coffee through the fundraiser. The sales were successful, with strong participation from both students and supporters. Through the fundraiser, NTHS raised $5,124 to support future activities and events. All orders were scheduled to be received Dec. 17, officially bringing the fundraiser to a close.

The SkillsUSA Council will hold the District 11 Competition Feb. 5. The main event, known as the “Showcase of Skills,” will be held at the Agri-Plex, Allentown Fairgrounds, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Over 200 top career and technical education students from Lehigh, Monroe, Northampton and Upper Bucks counties demonstrate their skills in 34 construction, electronics, food service, transportation, personal care, technology and health and safety competitions. Winners will represent the region at the Pennsylvania SkillsUSA Championships in April.

For example, the Graphic Communication competition is held to evaluate students’ skills and professionalism in the field and to prepare them for employment. The competition will feature six performance stations: digital press operations, layout and preflighting, finishing, offset press operations, oral professional assessmen, and production planning.

Hopes and Hearts is a student-led nonprofit initiative that advocates for pediatric cancer patients throughout the Lehigh Valley. Initially, it was started for a HOSA- Future Health Professionals project, but it quickly expanded beyond the classroom as its founders recognized the global impact of childhood cancers. Led by Health Careers, the organization brings together Alexa Hepner (Northampton), Elissa Rosario (Freedom) and Janieha Deifer (Freedom), who are taking a stand against pediatric cancer in the Lehigh Valley. Through BAVTS HOSA, community fundraisers and awareness initiatives, Hopes and Hearts has raised nearly $10,000 to support children and families facing a cancer diagnosis. Learn more about what they do on Instagram: @Hopes_and_Hearts.