One thing everyone associates with fall are pumpkins, whether they’re in the form of spice, pie, or scary faces welcoming trick-or-treaters to your door. Carving pumpkins has been a tradition at SPA for years, and on Oct. 28, the seniors boarded a bus, and traveled to the  Lower School. There, they will meet up with the newest additions to the SPA community, the kindergarteners. For for the rest of the day, talked, laughed, and carved pumpkins.

This annual tradition stretches far back in history and seniors can remember when they were the youngest at this school, looking up at the seniors in awe.

Catherine Riley, a senior, recalls her experience carving. “I don’t really remember much, but I do remember I had a guy as my partner. He did all the stuff I didn’t want to do, like taking the guts out and taking off the top.”

But the event has more to do with welcoming the kindergarteners than just carving pumpkins. “The goal is to put the ends of the spectrum together, and I think it is an enjoyable activity for everyone,” Upper School Dean of Students Max Delgado said.

“The carving provides an activity that’s enjoyable for people of all ages and an icebreaker to get to know someone who’s at a different stage of maturity,” Riley said.

Whatever the reasons are, the K-12 pumpkin carving is something both seniors and kindergarteners look forward to every year.

Seniors:  do you have pictures from Pumpkin Carving to share?  #k12pumpkinspa at Twitter or Instagram.