RHS showcases its pumpkin creativity
RUSSELLVILLE — Russellville High School’s second annual Pumpkin Palooza filled the old main building hallway with themed pumpkin displays created by each department for judging.
First place went to English Language Arts, second to the Science Department and third to Career and Technical Education (CTE). The junior class earned a special honorable mention for its first-time entry based on the film “Hocus Pocus.”
The English Language Arts department entered “Pumpkin POE-looza,” based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe.
English teacher Beth Gilmer said their display represented several of Poe’s stories, including “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Masque of the Red Death” and “The Raven.”
“It allows me to tap into my creativity,” Gilmer said. “I love doing that. I like decorating and getting a vision for how I want things to look.”
Gilmer created pumpkin books and a banner reading “Nevermore.”
Student teacher Jali Gann carved the pumpkin featuring Poe’s face.
She said she printed a stencil, marked the design with small pinpricks and then cut the pattern.
“It tapped into my creative side, and I got to try new things,” Gann said. “I enjoyed working with other teachers.”
Spanish teacher Alma Martinez also helped with the ELA display.
English teacher Roxanne Gist, who teaches 10th grade Advanced English and AP Literature, said her department quickly agreed on the Poe theme — an idea she came up with herself.
“When we were faced with the task of coming up with a theme for our pumpkin display, our department quickly landed on Edgar Allan Poe since we all love his suspenseful poems and short stories,” Gist said.
She added the idea came together naturally.
“We knew we had found our theme the moment we came up with that punny title.”
The Science Department’s theme was “Hocus Pocus.”
Career and Technical Education teacher Jordan Shelton said her department wanted to showcase the different programs within CTE.
Each pumpkin and prop represented a course area, with signs that read “Ctrl+Alt+Boo!” and “Bonechilling builds.” Shelton said the event gives staff and students a shared project to enjoy.
Junior Ticelee Gholston said she enjoys seeing the effort that goes into the competition.
Shown from left art Career and Technical Education teachers Jordan Shelton, Gabe Willis and Daryl Butts during Russellville High School’s second annual Pumpkin Palooza.
“I like seeing the parts that light up and getting to enjoy all the colors,” Gholston said. “It makes things more fun to have events like this, and I like to see the teachers doing things together.”
CTE teacher Gabe Willis said the event helps students connect with their school community.
“I think they really enjoy themselves,” Willis said. “It makes kids want to come see what’s going on and start talking about school.”
Kim Clonts, a Russellville City Schools Board of Education member for District 1, served as one of the judges.
“They all did a great job,” Clonts said. “They were very creative and put a lot of work and thought into each display.”
Col. Norman Lier, Russellville High School principal, said teachers and students give their all in everything they do.
“When they do something fun like this, they give it everything they have too,” Lier said. “We end up with a synergy of working hard, playing hard and having a good time while learning.
“They all did a great job. I could not be prouder of them,” Lier said.
