Lyrik Edgar helps Jazz Bear build a gingerbread house during a Christmas party with Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks and students at Arcadia Elementary School in Taylorsville on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Attending students received a Jazz swag bag and Walmart gift card. Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
A couple of Utah Jazz stars shared a holiday moment with young fans on Wednesday. Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks and Jazz Bear helped students at Arcadia Elementary School in Taylorsville celebrate Christmas.
After eating pizza, the students glittered up to decorate Christmas stockings. Frosting, candy and marshmallows followed for a gingerbread building contest, judged by Hendricks. Students Damien Hansen and Lyrik Edgar won the contest, with some help from their teammate Jazz Bear.
Some students were eager fans, ready with basketballs for Hendricks to sign. Others just enjoyed his company and asked questions like “Are you famous? Do you like any sports?”
All students at the party were given a swag bag with an autographed photo of Hendricks and a $200 Walmart gift card for their family.
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Deseret News photojournalist Kristin Murphy captured the excitement of the day in these photos.
First grader Yverson Mora and Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks build a gingerbread house during a Christmas party at Arcadia Elementary School in Taylorsville on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Attending students received a Jazz swag bag and Walmart gift card. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
First grader Yverson Mora builds a gingerbread house during a Christmas party with Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks, Jazz Bear and students at Arcadia Elementary School in Taylorsville on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Attending students received a Jazz swag bag and Walmart gift card. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks talks to a student about a stocking she is making during a Christmas party at Arcadia Elementary School in Taylorsville on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Attending students received a Jazz swag bag and Walmart gift card. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks watches students build gingerbread houses for a competition during a Christmas party at Arcadia Elementary School in Taylorsville on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Attending students received a Jazz swag bag and Walmart gift card. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
A student covers marshmallows in green frosting for a gingerbread house competition during a Christmas party with Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks, Jazz Bear and students at Arcadia Elementary School in Taylorsville on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Attending students received a Jazz swag bag and Walmart gift card. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks talks to students during a Christmas party at Arcadia Elementary School in Taylorsville on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Attending students received a Jazz swag bag and Walmart gift card. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks watches students build gingerbread houses for a competition during a Christmas party at Arcadia Elementary School in Taylorsville on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Attending students received a Jazz swag bag and Walmart gift card. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
Second grader Josh Kummer fit bumps Utah Jazz forward Taylor Hendricks during a Christmas party with students at Arcadia Elementary School in Taylorsville on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. | Kristin Murphy, Deseret News
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