Tuesday, September 23^rd, 2014 marked the first day of fall, and you know what that means? Lots of pumpkin spice lattes, Halloween, and yes, a pumpkin decorating contest right here in Berkeley’s Upper Division! Each advisory has been given one pumpkin to decorate as a group, and remember that the pumpkin cannot be taken home or be decorated by someone outside your advisory group. If your advisory is just stumped and cannot think of any creative, out-of-the-box ideas, try searching “pumpkins” on Pinterest, and there you can see thousands of different pumpkins that people have decorated, such as a Cookie Monster pumpkin or a pumpkin with Starry Night painted all over it. Junior Gabrielle Silberman, who is this year’s Head SLP, warned that “completely killing the pumpkin is not allowed.” So, if you’re thinking of doing some carving, make sure it is small and not extremely drastic. Pumpkins are due on the 24^th of October, and voting will take place from the 27^th to the 30^th. In order to raise money for St. Jude’s Children Hospital, the penny wars system will be used: one penny equals one vote for a pumpkin, while silver coins count as negative points (one nickel is negative five votes, one dime is negative 10 votes, etc.).

The prizes, though, are the best part of this contest. First place winners get a free Chick-fil-A chicken mini breakfast, and second place winners will be awarded with specialty Oreo truffles baked by Library Director CD McLean, who is also very famous for her tasty treats! Silberman also wanted to let everyone know that her advisory “is obviously going to win,” but let’s prove her wrong on that one and see which advisory will really end up with all the chicken minis. Will it be yours? Let the games begin!