Noatak children make gingerbread houses to honor late education advocate

Frosting, candy and smiles filled the Noatak school last week when children made gingerbread houses to celebrate Christmas — and honor a late education advocate.

Several Napaaqtugmiut School teachers started a Paula Mills Gingerbread House Making tradition with the elementary students. Last Wednesday, nearly 80 children and 20 adults — parents and residents — met in the school commons area to make the houses, and on Thursday, they brought candy and embellished their creations.

The activity was more than honoring the holiday spirit. Roxi Wolfe and Kayla Pietila wanted to remember Paula Mills, an education advocate who passed away last summer.

“Paula gave so much to the school and students and we want her to be remembered,” Wolfe said. “When people talk about her, they go on and on about all the fun things she did. She is really missed! So this year we wanted to honor her and her influence on so many of us.”

Originally from Oklahoma, Paula Mills came to Alaska after meeting her husband Axel Mills and lived here ever since. Together, they had 11 children, biological and adopted: David, Tammy, Kara, Kenneth, Judy, James, Jason, Carrie, Brittnee, Brandi and Lucas.

While in the most recent years, health challenges caused Mills to move from Noatak to Anchorage, she remained engaged in village life and education.

Mills was on the Noatak’s Advisory School Council for more than 20 years and became a member of the Northwest Arctic School Board, her daughter Carrie Mills said.

Paula Mills also organized the “Parent Incentive Program” to get students’ attendance numbers up, her daughter said. In that program, at the end of the school year, students were rewarded for good attendance with prizes such as TVs, toys, life jackets and board games. Paula Mills shopped for these prizes with money she made fundraising by selling nachos at basketball games.

“Helping our school thrive is what made her happy,” Carrie Mills said. “Seeing our kids happy is what motivated her.”

Christmas was Paula Mills’ favorite time of the year. It was also busy for her whole household: The family was making candies and cookies of all kinds. Paula Mills fundraised for more toys and gift ideas at Christmas time, selling raffle tickets, her daughter said.

“She made sure every person in our village received a gift, even if it was small, no one was left out,” Carrie Mills said. “She was always so caring and giving. ... She made herself some big shoes to fill, inspiring myself to be giving to our community.”

Making gingerbread houses was also something Mills loved doing.

When Kayla Pietila started teaching in Noatak, Paula Mills’ daughter was in her class. Christmas came around, and Mills offered to bring supplies for making gingerbread houses. She ended up bringing everything, including all the candy and frosting, Pietila remembered. Then she sat at the side and beat batch after batch of frosting.

“The kids — and teachers! — had a great time,” Pietila said. “That project is just such a good image and example of how ‘all-in’ Paula was with supporting our school and students. She showed that level of support and generosity in everything she did!”

Last year, Pietila suggested to Wolfe making gingerbread houses with her class, and this year, teachers, parents and students — as well as Mills’ grandchildren and daughter — carried on the tradition.

“We’d like to thank everyone who loved and accepted our Paula,” Carrie Mills said.

At the end of the event, teachers gave several awards: the sweetest, most colorful, most festive, candy overload, Christmas colors, yummy and snow-covered delights.

“When I asked the kids, ‘Why are we doing this?’ They all yelled out, “For Paula Mills!’” Wolfe said. “Paula loved Christmas, kids, education and Noatak.”