The young boy and his mom worked together in the kitchen on Thanksgiving morning. He watched her layer the bananas and cookies, making sure each bite would be perfect. The tradition of the banana puddling eventually passed on, and the boy would make the pudding for his family every holiday.
Fast forward to twenty or so years later. When Principal Eric King saw the announcement about the faculty dessert contest, he knew immediately which dessert he would make. He proudly entered his banana pudding to compete. In a competition against skilled bakers, his mom’ s banana pudding placed second.
“I think all the deserts had a special piece to them and could easily have won,” King said.
The contest was the idea of King’s secretary Kim Barker.
“I just wanted to bring some joy and fun to Willis High School,” Barker said. “With so much negativity in the world, I thought this would be the perfect way to bring us together and spark something fun and positive on campus.”
As she was organizing the contest, Barker was touched by some of the stories the teachers told. The cakes, cookies and pies all had stories behind them.

Mr. Granger’s cheesecake was very impressive,” Barker said. “He shared that it took a lot of time and care to make, and the recipe itself is one that is passed down through his wife’s side of the family. She usually makes it, but this time he took on the challenge himself.”
For her third place entry, Fairplay Store’s Famous Pecan Pie, journalism teacher Emily Meachen shared the story behind the pie.
“When I was in high school, I worked at a country store with a deli, and we were known for our homemade pies,” Meachen said. “Because I loved baking, I took over the pie baking and for several years I would make pies my entire shift. This pecan pie recipe was the most popular. It is just by far the tastiest pecan pie.”
The first place award went to a very impressive chocolate cake baked by math teacher Amy Mills. Her four layer chocolate cake was impressive.

“When I tasted the chocolate cake, I knew there was no way I was placing,” Meachen said. “It was delicious. I was not going to participate in the contest because it was such a busy week, but when I saw how hard Mrs. Barker worked to get judges and trophies I decided to join in. The best part was talking trash to Mr. King. His banana pudding was very good.”

The contest was small but very competitive. Community members judged the blind contest. They were complimentary of all the entries.

“I really enjoyed judging  the  inaugural competition at @Willis ISD,” Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce chair elect Guy Barker said. “It is always a good time with  my friends. had a lot of laughs and many memorable quotes today.”

There are already plans for a contest next year. It will be a time for faculty and staff to showcase their baking talent and family stories.
“My mother has made that banana pudding since as long as I can remember,” King said. “She made it for all of our family functions that we would attend. As I got into high school she taught me how to make it and that was my job as I got old enough. Just so you know there was more than one recipe that was passed down to me from my mother. Next year I am coming for the gold.”