More than 25 pumpkins became works of art Tuesday, Oct. 3, as Brookale students worked diligently throughout college hour to show their best pumpkin skills and compete with one another for prizes. Conducted by the Student Life Board on the SLC patio, the contest gave BCC students a chance to carve or paint SLB-provided pumpkins and turn them into unique creations.
As the contest drew to a close, the judges went slowly and carefully to each of the pumpkins to rate the finished works of art and select a few finalists for prizes. But many who participated said the real prize was simply participating.
“I think it is awesome sauce,” said Ash Khan, a 19-year-old criminal justice major from Middletown. “This is my second year doing it, and every year it’s just cooler and cooler.”
“I think it’s cute and fun, and it’s a fun activity for all the students,” said Jada Molyneus, an 18-year-old nursing major from Middletown, who said she was proud of her creation. “I think it’s looking pretty cute.”
“It gets the students involved to get more of a community around the college,” said Anthony Battista, a 22-year-old film major from Englishtown, on the huge student turnout and numerous staff attending the the annual event.
“I really enjoyed carving pumpkins because back at home I work a little farm, and basically, we just carve pumpkins and enjoy doing pumpkin stuff,” said Miguel Romero, an 18-year-old undecided major from Marlboro. He evaluated his work, which depicted a pumpkin throwing up its guts, “I rate my pumpkin a 10 out of 10.”
In addition to pride for her art, Molyneus said she enjoyed the event for the “socialization with different students: and opportunity to “look at all their different… levels of creativity.”
While artists and novices toiled to create Halloween-themed masterpieces, many other students stopped by and munched on brownies, cookies and cupcakes while enjoying holiday-themed tunes such as “Ghostbusters,” “Thriller” and “Monster Mash.” Students could also claim and take home small pumpkins provided by Student Life.
“Gotta love Brookdale,” said Romero, witnessing how the college brought people together and helped many students get ready for Halloween. Both Khan and Molyneus summed up the mood when they said separately, “Happy Halloween!”
