On August 14^th, the College of Education participated in the annual Cougar Cupcake Challenge. The highlight of Staff Appreciation Lunch, the challenge pitted multiple teams from across campus to make the best cupcake decorations and display in thirty minutes.

Prior to the competition, teams were given a dozen cupcakes and a half-gallon of white icing, to produce their best ballgame-inspired cupcakes. At the event, the teams had only 30 minutes to complete their entries and finish their displays. The COE team went a step further, bringing in homemade frostings to fit their theme perfectly.

This year’s theme was Take Me Out to the Ballgame, and the COE team Everything is Awesome created a concession stand display, complete with popcorn, Cracker Jacks, and peanuts. Their cupcakes included peanut-topped chocolate cupcakes, vanilla with Cracker Jacks and caramel drizzle, chocolate ice cream floats, and vanilla topped with cotton candy. Recruitment officer Jennifer Hay even held a tray filled with cupcakes and sodas in front of the display, calling out for passersby to enjoy the treats.

“We really put our minds together and created the perfect cupcake concession stand,” says team member Jennifer Hay. “It was a great way to build COE camaraderie, and I really enjoyed the challenge!”

And while Everything is Awesome did not place, team leader Jaime Questell says they did an excellent job. “Our execution was absolutely perfect. We really came together well as a team and did our absolute best.”

Team Everything is Awesome is already looking forward to next year, and team member Britney Ikner is ready. “I really enjoyed participating in the event with my team and I would do it again in a heart beat. Hope they are ready for a rematch next year! Go COE!”

We can’t wait to see what you do next year, team Everything is Awesome, and the College wishes you good luck!