The Rock the House gingerbread-making club, part of the South Rowan High School Family and Consumer Science Department, came back from this year’s National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville last weekend with three ribbons.

The Honu turtle, and the Rowan Castle received top 10 ribbons, while the Pippin peacock piece won third place in the teen category, winning the team $250.

Eleven students in the club submitted five gingerbread creations, the most the club has ever entered. In addition to the turtle, castle and peacock, there was also a dog park scene and a holiday beach scene.

The students have been working since Labor Day to get their pieces ready for the competition.

Judging for the competition took place on Monday. The pieces were judged on overall appearance, originality and creativity, difficulty, precision and consistency of theme.

Entries were not limited to gingerbread houses, but the main structure had to be at least 75 percent gingerbread and almost all of the materials used to build the creation had to be edible.

The students also completed a scavenger hunt using technology and toured architectural places and shops in Asheville before the awards ceremony on Monday.

“Two nights at the Grove Park was a great experience for all students,” Sharon Edwards, a family and consumer science teacher and club supervisor, said in an email.

The gingerbread creations will be displayed at the Omni Grove Park Inn through Jan. 3.

Contact reporter Amanda Raymond 704-797-4222.