Santa came to the bazzaar!

Liam Osborn of Clements fundraising for Panther Robotics Club

Helen, MD – A picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the opportunity to win a unique raffle prize and specialty vendors from near and far were the main attractions again this year for Margaret Brent Middle School’s Annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 10.

Mom, Cassie Kriete of Mechanicsville has happily surprised to find Santa, Ms. Claus, and a helper Elf from the North Pole at the Bazaar. Kriete said, “I had no idea Santa was going to be here today.” There was no waiting in line and mom had the camera ready.

When Santa asked the girls if they had been good this year, the answer was a unified “Yes!” Then old St. Nick asked the bigger question… “What do you want for Christmas?” 8-year-old, Eleni Kriete said, “I would like a charm bracelet.” Her sister, 6-year-old, Addi Kriete said, “I want to have my ears pierced.” Santa said, “Ok, girls since you have been good this year, Santa will see what he can do.”

Students, parents, faculty, and the local community showed up in support of this spectacular event sponsored by the school’s Relay for Life Team.

Sixth-grade student, Liam Osborn of Clements was busy working the bake sale table for Margaret Brent’s Panther Robotics Club. Osborn told TheBayNet.com “We are selling cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and brownies during the bazaar to raise money for our upcoming VexIQ Challenge Bot Competition in February 2017.”

Inside a classroom, 8th grader Raymond Graham was performing a demonstration of the VexIQ Challenge Bot. Graham skillfully manipulated the remote controls to move the robot around the VexIQ board for the audience and show its capabilities. “It can pick up two balls at once, move up, move backward, and forwards. The claw can also move up and down and you get a certain number of points by moving across the VexIQ Board,” Graham said. The Robotics Club is still working on finishing the board and practicing their strategy to win in the upcoming competition.

Over 50 vendors were strategically spaced throughout the school. Some small independent business vendors, with unique handcrafted items, also participated.

Jessica Thomas of Mechanicsville was back again for her second year participating as a vendor in the bazaar with her handmade deco mesh Christmas trees, ornaments, and ribbon wreaths. Thomas said, “I don’t have a name for the trees, but they take about two hours to make.” Fiancé David Gardner told TheBayNet.com, “She has a passion for crafts and spends hours at home with glitter, glue, paint, ribbons, etc.” Gardner said, “Jessica really takes her time to make sure each ornament is perfect. All of her creations are made with lots of love.”

Crystal Cairns and Amy Nelson have taken their creative talent and turned it into a small business of unique signs painted on wood. “All our signs are painted on old barn wood found locally,” Cairns said. Nelson’s signs had more of a nautical theme. Nelson told TheBayNet.com, “This just comes very natural to me. I come from a family of watermen and grew up in a home that was decorated with all types of nautical things.”

14-year-old Amaya Santiago of Owings Mills was the youngest entrepreneurs at the bazaar with her mom, Chandra Santiago selling Paparazzi accessories. Amaya mother said, “I am just on the business license because of her age, honestly this is her business.” Amaya said, “I am working to raise money for her first car by selling Paparazzi jewelry and accessories at vendor shows and home shows.”