Deborah Prescott | Daily Press Fourth grade students at the Escanaba Upper Elementary stand by their prize winning pumpkin creations Friday. The pumpkins were judged in four categories, scariest, funniest, best animal, and most creative. Office staff and a former teacher judged the pumpkins. The fifth category was money maker. Students, teachers, administration and parents could vote all week by placing money into a jar assigned to their favorite pumpkin(s). All 69 entrants received candy and a spider eraser. Winners received a movie certificate. From left are, Tripp Neeld, Grandpa Shark, best animal - Isabelle Pascoe, beach, most creative - Kaleb Holberton, lady in a tub, funniest - Braelyn Labonte, IT, scariest - Chris Economopoulos, clown, money maker.

ESCANABA — Fourth grade students attending Escanaba Upper Elementary created works of art with pumpkins for a competition that concluded Friday, Nov. 1. Students could use any tools they wanted, but the pumpkin could not be carved.

“We started sending notes home with the students about two weeks prior to the contest,” said Escanaba Fourth Grade teacher Glenda Schoff. “They could use any tools they wanted, but could not carve the pumpkins because they will rot sitting inside all week.”

Sixty-nine entries were brought to the school Oct. 28 to be judged in four categories, scariest, funniest, best animal, and most creative. Office staff and Karin Beveridge, a former teacher, judged the pumpkins.

“We had “mystery” judges that decided the winner of each category,” said Schoff.

The fifth category was money maker. Students, teachers, administration and parents could vote all week for the winning money maker category by placing money into a jar assigned to their favorite pumpkin(s).

Voting ended 11 a.m. on Nov. 1, and the winners were announced over the intercom at the school at 11:10 a.m. Students who entered the competition received candy and a spider eraser.

Braelyn Labonte won the category of scariest pumpkin design with her portrayal of Stephen King’s character “IT”. Funniest pumpkin design was awarded to Kaleb Holberton with “Lady in a Bathtub”. The most creative design went to Isabelle Pascoe, who designed a scene from the “beach” including sea shells. Best animal design was awarded to Tripp Neeld with his “Grandpa Shark” character depiction.

The pumpkin design that received the most money came from the mind of Chris Economopoulos. A last minute addition of funds came in just before voting concluded that gave his “clown” the win. A winner from each category received a movie certificate.