Gallery • 8 Photos

Ethan Dincer

Seniors Annie Kristal and Jazz Ward show off their final product.

In the mid 1990’s, the first senior class spent part of their school day at the Lower School carving pumpkins.

“[Former kindergartner teacher] Jane Nelson talked to [former US Dean of Students] Judy Cummins and they thought ‘what can we do to connect the Upper School to the Lower School,'” kindergartner teacher Nancy Gannon said.

The brainstorm resulted in a pumpkin carving tradition between the oldest and youngest students of the St. Paul Academy and Summit School community. Not only is it an opportunity for kindergartners to interact with older student role-models, but it gives seniors a chance to go down memory lane.

“I like seeing the returning students. The kindergartners think the seniors are so so old, it’s a good connection between them. It makes the kindergartners realize that the seniors really aren’t that old,” said Gannon.

It used to be a longer activity, where seniors would stay for a snack and then play on the playground with the younger students. Having a day where seniors go sledding with kindergartners is potentially in the near future, as well.