Newtown Middle School art teachers Leigh Anne Coles and Kristen Ciarletto announced the top three winning My Favorite Scarecrow Sculpture Contest on Friday, October 30.

This year’s first place entry was “Snoopy Halloween with the Dog House” by students Rick Irving, Jack Wojtowicz, and Colin Zhang.

In second place is “WALL-E” by students Eugene Hong, Sullivan Koekkoek, and Constantine Kyprianou. According to Ms Coles the top two scarecrows were only five votes away from each other.

And in third place is “Cinderella’s Carriage” by students Abby Kelly, Margaret O’Sullivan, Jackie Tibolla, and Alyssa Zajac.

According to Ms Coles, this year’s contest raised $1,102, which will be divided among the top three groups and then donated to the charities of the winnings groups' choice.

“Congratulations to another successful year of scarecrow,” Ms Coles said on Friday. “Seventh graders… get ready for next year!”

Each year NMS eighth grade students are challenged to design and create a larger-than-life scarecrow that can withstand the elements while on display on the front lawn of Newtown Middle School.

Students and community members are then invited cast their votes for their favorites in $1 donations. The money generated during the voting period is split among the three top vote-getters and donated to the charities of the winners’ choice.

This year’s My Favorite Scarecrow Sculpture Contest included 31 entries.

The scarecrows were , until Thursday, October 29, which was also the last day voting on the entries was allowed.on view from Friday, October 23