Fall Spirit Week kicked off with the theme ”Rhyme Without a Reason” on Monday, Oct. 30. Students of Communications High School dressed up in groups of two, three, four and more as they coordinated their outfits around rhyming words.
One group had eight people, their outfits all centered around words that end in -ad.
“The costumes are sad, mad, dad, Brad, had, grad, Illiad, and Cal went as plaid. That’s technically -aid, but still sounds like -ad,” sophomore Skye Huang of Ocean Port said.
The event of the day was “Paint-a-Pumpkin,” which also focused on the rhyming theme. Each grade assembled a team of five students for the “Paint-a-Pumpkin” activity.
Featured on the pumpkin was the requirement of rhyming items, with one item relating to fall. The pumpkin had to be 75% covered in paint, meaning less than 25% could be accessories.
Each team was allowed to pick four colors, and the event was held in a relay style with four minutes per painter. First place won 20 points, followed by 15, 10 and five, respectively.
The event started during the second half of lunch, and many opening strategies were displayed. The junior class took a hands-on approach, coating their entire pumpkin in paint with their palms instead of a paint brush.
For the duration of the event, chanting and cheering never ceased. After the painting concluded, a member from each group came up to state their team’s rhyme. The judges gathered their opinions on the pumpkins and then, the SGA announced the winner.
The senior class took first place with their rhyming pumpkin displaying “beast and feast.” Their fruit depicted David, the CHS beast, eating Thanksgiving dinner. A fork poked out the top of the pumpkin and fall colored leaves were also used as decoration.
The junior class took second, their rhyme being “ghost and coast.” A lighthouse was painted on the back of the pumpkin with ghosts swimming in the water. Their landscape used a variety of different colors including blue, purple and yellow.
The underclassmen not only used one rhyme for their pumpkin, but two.
The sophomores took third place with their rhymes “witches brew and sophomore crew” as well as “bat and cat.” A pumpkin patch scene was displayed on the fruit, featuring skeletons, googly eyes, bats, cats, and a witch stirring a cauldron.
The freshman took fourth place with their rhyme “1989 and in the nick of time.” To show this, A clock with the words “Taylor’s Version” was painted. The freshman also included the rhyme of “eye and pie.” Red eyes were scattered all over, and a pie could be seen on the back of the pumpkin.
Senior Vice President Garrett Stemetzki of Wall was pleased with his class’ performance.
“I think our team really came together today!” Stemetzki said. “They came up with a really fun design that represents CHS and our grade so well. They deserved the win!”
The overall standing places the juniors in first with 36 points. The seniors and sophomores follow them, tied for second place with 26 points. The freshmen are in last place with 11 points.
Tomorrow’s theme is Halloween, and the event is the Halloween parade.
“The Halloween parade is such a classic CHS tradition,” said Senior President Lydia Olivieri of Colts Neck, “I always love seeing how creative our students can get.”
Stemetzki cautions the other classes not to underestimate the seniors.
“Once we get our participation back up, everyone else better watch out because the seniors are here to stay!” Stemetzki said.
