The Scarecrows Are Coming!

By Laurie Borst

It’s that time of year again. Newtown Middle School eighth graders met after school on September 7 to learn about the Scarecrow Sculpture Contest. The contest is open to all eighth graders and participation is mandatory for students in the GATES and Art Enrichment programs.

Students research the purpose of scarecrows before beginning the project. Working in groups of up to four students, they brainstorm ideas for theme and materials. The project requires creativity, interpersonal skills, and time management.

Two other requirements are the sculptures must be able to withstand the elements for a week and must be able to be easily seen in a “drive by” fashion.

There are five judging categories: science fiction, robotic, hero/heroine, organic (all materials must come from sources that were once alive), and synthetic (all materials must be manufactured). Students should not spend more than $15 on supplies.

Sculptures will be on display on the middle school’s front lawn beginning October 21. Ballots for public judging will be in The Newtown Bee. To vote for your favorite scarecrow, fill out a ballot and submit it with $1 to Patrice Gans, GATES teacher, or deposit it in the mail slot in the door of  The Newtown Bee office.

Ribbons will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners. Monies will be donated to the charity of choice determined by the winners.

Last year’s contest brought in $820, which was donated to the Children’s Christmas Fund, Canine Advocates, American Red Cross, and Habitat for Humanity.

The teachers overseeing the contest are Ms Gans, art teachers Arlene Spoonfeather and Claudia Mitchell, and applied technology teacher Don Ramsey.