Students marveled at the disembodied head in the jar that floated in a pool of ghoulish green liquid. No, this wasn’t the latest experiment from Mr. Sanders’ science class. It was the winning pumpkin designed by Mr. Crisafi’s and Coach Keller’s eighth-grade advisory in the Middle School’s annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest. There were also pumpkins designed as everything from a black widow to a puffer fish, and even a spot-on look-alike of Kiss lead singer Gene Simmons. Held on October 29, the contest included each middle school advisory group, and awards were given for the most creative pumpkins in each grade level: sixth, seventh, and eighth.

The rules for the contest dictate that the pumpkin may not be punctured or carved, it must be school appropriate (no weapons or pumpkin nudity), and every decorative item needs to be attached to the pumpkin. Along with Crisafi and Keller’s “head in a jar” pumpkin, Ms. Gleason’s advisory won for seventh grade and Mrs. Ponchock’s group won for sixth. Ms. Gleason’s students turned their pumpkin into a gold puffer fish creatively adorned with golf ball tees for spikes. For their design, Mrs. Ponchock’s students made a Cookie Monster pumpkin stuffing its face with cookies. “Our advisory group thought that the cookie monster would be a good idea because it was original, and we thought the monster went well with the Halloween theme,” said sixth grader Veronica Baker.

The contest was begun six years ago, and the tradition has been carried forward by Student Services Counselor Ms. Danielle Benvenuto. “I think the pumpkin decorating contest is a great way for advisory groups to have the opportunity to work together, be creative, and have fun!” Ms. Benvenuto explained.

Whether you win or lose, this pumpkin contest is fun for everybody Although seventh-grade student Patty Melesio was disappointed that her group did not win,  she told The Neersyde that she thoroughly enjoyed being part of an advisory group who made a penguin dressed as a pirate adorned with jewels, gold, and an eye patch.

The pumpkin contest also helps prime the middle schoolers for the annual Halloween Parade conducted by the Lower School. Students in the WOW program all the way up through fifth grade are joined by TBS seniors who are part of the 14-Year Club (seniors who have been at The Benjamin School since pre-k). All of them dress in the costumes of their choice as they march around the football field to the delight of parents, faculty, staff, and middle school students. “It was really fun seeing the look on the younger students’ faces as they marched around dressed up in their costumes,” exclaimed Benjamin student Dazzy Capre. “Also, I liked it because we got to miss some classes.” The Head of The Benjamin School, Mr. Bob Goldberg, who acted as the grand marshall of the parade, was dressed as himself from 1974, complete with long beatnik-like hair and prosthetic pectorals.  In a golf cart, he was squired around the parade route by maintenance staffer Mrs. Glenda Donato. Mr. Goldberg’s costume was second only this year to the many beautiful Princess Elsa’s (from Disney’s Frozen) who marched along in the parade. So, next time there is a pumpkin contest and you don’t win, remember to just “Let it go.”