Preston Students Transform Seasonal Gourds Into Book Characters

With an unusual use of the fall season’s gourds, SJ Preston students transformed uncarved pumpkins, ornamental gourds and squashes into their favorite book’s characters.

Preston’s Library/Media Specialist Thomasine Mastrantoni encouraged students to find characters from their favorite books that inspired their creativity. When she suggested the idea to the students, she thought optimistically she would get about 10 pumpkins. She was overwhelmed to find that 66 students brought in their creations – which she proudly displayed around the school’s library.

Teachers were encouraged to “vote” on the character pumpkins – with categories such as Most Humorous, Most Creative, Most Like the Book’s Character, and the Best Overall. Students wrote encouraging and complimentary notes to their peers on their “sculptures”.

Ms. Mastrantoni also was thrilled to learn how excited the students were to enlist their family members into the activity and the overall combine collaboration that occurred. Even the faculty added their talents and favorite books to the mix.

Please watch a quick video of all of the submissions:

https://animoto.com/play/WIPD1...

Students are already planning what their next year’s entries will be.