The Return Of

The Scarecrows

To the Editor:

Fall — the crackle of fiery leaves under your feet, a cool breeze blowing in from the north, and the sweet scent of pumpkin pies wafting in from the kitchen. A sip of apple cider and the sound of southbound geese honking overhead — all signatures of this striking season. But this beautiful and peaceful season brigs more than just that — it brings Newtown Middle School’s Annual Scarecrow Competition! The competition, designed to showcase the work of NMS students and to raise money for charity, will be held from October 13 to 21 on the front lawn of the middle school.

Attending the Scarecrow Contest has been an annual tradition for many families. It’s the symbol for many others that Halloween is near. These masterpieces scattered across the front lawn of the school have been a source of entertainment for years, and hopefully many years to come.

But, the purpose of this annual competition is not only for enjoyment; it’s a fundraiser for various charities. Each vote cast by the many attendees costs one dollar, and the winning team gets to choose to which charity they would like to donate all the money. Not only is the competition enjoyable, it helps those in need.

The scarecrows are created by eighth graders involved in the GATES program (Gifted and Talented Education Services) and Art Enrichment program which is for students with exceptional art talent. Any other eighth grader who wishes to participate in the competition can join a team with an Art Enrichment or GATES student. The members of these groups must learn to co-exist, combine ideas, work together, and achieve a high-quality, weather-resistant final product. It’s a great learning experience for the many competitors.

Don’t be surprised come mid-October when the middle school lawn is host to an array of ghosts, goblins, and gargoyles, princesses, ponies, and pop culture. In the past, some crowd-pleasers have been the Headless Horseman, Glinda the Good Witch, a favorite middle school teacher, and the Corpse Bride. They can all be spotted in a drive-by fashion, but be sure to stop by to see them all up close.

Family tradition, team-building experiences, and the approach of Halloween are all part of this favorite middle school tradition. So, next time you drive by Queen Street, get into the Halloween spirit and stop by for some incredible artwork for a charitable cause; support the hard work of Newtown Middle School’s youth!

Mary Siroky

GATES Student

Phyllis Lane, Newtown                                         September 26, 2007