Newtown Middle School’s Eighth Grade Scarecrow Contest entries are set to go on display on the front lawn of the Queen Street school for voting by residents on Saturday and Sunday, October 20 and 21.

NMS art teachers Leigh Anne Coles and Kristen Ladue both said recently they are excited to see this year’s scarecrows.

“They are a pretty motivated group,” said Ms Coles.

Since the program began in 1996, eighth grade students have been tasked to work in groups to create a larger-than-life scarecrow that can withstand Mother Nature. Students can work alone, but they are encouraged to work in groups. Students in Art Enrichment classes are charged with completing a scarecrow as part of a class project, and other eighth grade students can participate, too.

The event is a fundraiser. Residents can vote for their favorite scarecrow with a $1 donation per vote. Residents can vote as many times as they want, as long as they also donate the corresponding amount. Money raised from votes goes to the charities of the top three winning groups’ choosing.

Once the scarecrows are on display, voting will be open to the public October 20 and 21. Ballots will be available at the school, and a copy of the ballot will be printed in the October 19 print edition of The Newtown Bee to cut out and submit with the corresponding $1 donation. Votes can be made during voting hours — 9 am to 5 pm on both days — at the school or dropped off in The Newtown Bee’s letter slot in the front door of its 5 Church Hill Road office, with the envelopes marked “NMS Scarecrows,” by the end of that Sunday.

Students have been working on their scarecrow designs since September. Part of the challenge is that each group is limited to spending $30 per scarecrow. The scarecrows are expected to be set up at the school on Friday, October 19, the day before voting will be open to the public.

The top three winning scarecrows from the contest will be announced, following the results being collected, both at the school and in The Newtown Bee.

The 2017 Eighth Grade Scarecrow Contest raised $1,935 for local charities. The Elephant Made Out of Cans, or scarecrow 31, created by Elena Sughrue and Tessa Bigwarfe came in first place; the Giant Fidget Spinner, or scarecrow 21, created by Melina Cummings, Emily Longo, Avery Landgrebe, and Molly McCleary came in second place; and the Moana Raft, or scarecrow entry nine, created by Katie Larson, Amelia Daly, Kennedy Reeds, and Sophia Guevara tied for third place with the Spider Robot, or scarecrow 10, created by Dillon Mingachos and Ethan Salvitti.

Ms Ladue said this year’s eighth grade students have picked projects that “sound interesting.” In at least one case, NMS staff supported one project by donating items to be recycled. A number of student groups have chosen to make scarecrows that will make a statement about the world or world events, according to Ms Coles. Residents should also expect to see scarecrows inspired by contemporary television shows.

Just under 30 groups of students signed up to create scarecrows this year.

Ms Coles said having the students work to create a 3-dimensional project that is large is a challenge, and the students are learning problem solving skills. As part of the project, the scarecrows have to be weather-proof and transportable.

Some of the student groups have been resourceful. Ms Coles and Ms Ladue said some groups approached local stores to ask for support in creating their scarecrows.

“I’m hoping the weather holds out,” said Ms Ladue.