Eighth-graders craft creative designs for annual Mini Dream Bedroom Contest

The annual Mini Dream Bedroom Contest is a major favorite for the 36 eighth grade girls of Chestnut Ridge, Mt. Hope and Wise schools. These miniature bedroom designs have been created for decades, and many of the mothers of this year’s group of girls have been through the contest. Many of them still have their bedrooms from when they competed.

Janna Mast, family and consumer science teacher at Chestnut Ridge School, said the girls take great pleasure and care in designing their rooms, with the shell of their design being crafted by one of the eighth grade boys in woodworking shop class.

Once the shell is built, it is up to each individual to craft their own version of their dream bedroom, and this year saw some new ideas sneak into the designs, along with many of the traditional ideas that have stood the test of time.

“If you look at some of the designs, often you’ll see that they get ideas from rooms at home that they then implement into their own designs,” Mast said. “A lot of thought goes into each piece of their bedrooms.”

The judges for the contest were a trio from Brick and Bannister Design. Whitney Kaufman, lead creative designer, and creative design team members Victoria Schrock and Gretchen Burke had the task of determining the winning entries from a host of qualified bedrooms.

“We have five different categories from which we judge,” Kaufman said. “We kind of rate them accordingly, and it hasn’t been easy because there are some really beautiful and creative bedrooms here.”

One of the main things the trio turned their attention to was the minute details displayed in each room and how the girls were able to tie together reality and functionality.

“We’ve seen some very creative ideas,” Kaufman said.

The overall winners for the mini bedroom contest were Abby Raber of Wise, who placed first; Ava Miller of Mt. Hope, who garnered second; and Alea Yoder of Chestnut Ridge, who placed third.

The Mt. Hope top prizes went to Ava Miller, first; Kara Miller, second; Allissa Shetler, third; and Mackenzie Yoder, honorable mention. The Wise winners included Abby Raber, first; Kari Yoder, second; Krissy Mast, third; and Anne Schlabach, honorable mention. Chestnut Ridge winners were Alea Yoder, first; Alyssa Miller, second; Renita Yoder, third; and Katy Troyer, honorable mention.

Raber went to a new idea, utilizing mossy greens, tans and earthy tones to create a stunning Christmas-themed bedroom. Kaufman said the way she was able to make each component work together and her attention to detail and precision were all factors in Raber emerging as the overall winner.

Runner-up Ava Miller’s ingenuity may start a new trend in the bedroom contest. She opted to move away from the standard square box and have her box include a cantilevered extension that gave the box a new look that captured the attention of the judges.

Considering the eighth grade boys build the boxes in woodworking shop class, Mast said it was a bold move. “I don’t think just anyone could do that in shop class, so she was fortunate she had a boy who could do that.”

Mast went on to note she continues to marvel at how the girls opt to create their flooring, from using wood and tile to shag carpet and some other unique options.

Then there are the details in creating all the furniture including beds, dressers, closets and art tables, which then often get complimented with miniature frames, decorative pieces, clocks, magazines and even pets.

Others create fireplaces, doors with working hinges and windows while yet others create lights by using batteries in their designs. One creative entry saw its designer use real plant life.

Then there was Wise eighth-grader Sheryl Raber, who went old-school and opted to create a black and white mini-quilt, which was at one time a popular option for the girls to pursue.

Mast said she overheard Raber say that because there were only five girls from Wise, each of them would receive an award for their Wise competition if she did a quilt, something Mast said was a selfless act.

The winning bedrooms will be on display at Walnut Hills Oct. 31 through Nov. 7, are on display at Keim through Nov. 14, and will be at home schools Nov. 14-21 and at Berlin Fabric Nov. 21 through Dec. 5. The contest's prize-winning gift certificates were donated to each winner by Berlin Fabrics.