Which School District Won $100,000 in Holiday Light Contest, from Patch?

Patch hosted a nationwide contest in December where residents voted for the best-decorated house in their area during the holidays. Whichever house won the most votes, Patch donated $100,000 to that local public school district.

Davis, California schools won the grand prize. Friday, Jan. 27, the district collected their prize during halftime of a high school basketball game.

Here are the details:

The city of Davis, CA enjoyed an extended holiday season when it received one more gift: a cash prize of $100,000 from Patch, to benefit Davis public schools.

This financial windfall to kick off the new year is a result of Davis residents Kristy and Jim Powell having earned the title “Best Decked House.” 

The Powells won the most votes in Patch’s “Deck the House” contest, a national search among the 850-plus Patch communities for the best holiday home decorations.

The Powells’ display earned them $500 towards their own December electric bill and the $100,000 grand prize for their local public schools. 

The check was presented during half-time when the Davis High School Blue Devils met the Elk Grove Thundering Herd at Friday's basketball game, Jan. 27, at Davis High School.

The local Davis Patch Editor Justin Cox and winning homeowner Kristy Powell made the presentation to Davis Schools Superintendent Winfred Roberson. 

“We are so excited and thrilled that the Davis School District will benefit from our winning the ‘Deck the House’ contest,” Powell said. 

“The community worked together; everyone was tweeting, posting on Facebook, and emailing the news. Our Mayor even sent out emails to the community. 

"It was amazing to see what our community will do for our kids, and the students are the true winners," Powell said.

Patch President Warren Webster said: 

“We’re thrilled that the Davis community came together to support the Powells’ efforts in the contest—and that we can present this gift to. . .most importantly, the students of Davis."

The Powells’ winning display was titled which is what their street is called during the holidays. The house featured wooden cut-outs, hand-made and painted by the Powell family, of iconic winter favorites including a gingerbread house, penguins, snowmen, train station, toy shop, elves, and candy canes. 

Deck the House is Patch’s third national contest to reward Patch users. Prior contests:

• Mother’s Day "Spaliday" sweepstakes, May 2011 gave Patch moms a spa retreat
• "Patch’s Little Pumpkins Costume Challenge With Heidi Klum," Halloween 2011, with actor Klum selecting the most creative costume of the season from thousands of photos submitted by the Patch community.