Gallery • 5 Photos

Credit: Amelia Wood

These are a few of the 300 pumpkins painted by students. This M&M'S inspired pumpkin and its friends are on their way to The Salvation Army to spread festive cheer.

Loy Norrix’s pumpkin painting party is an event where people gather each year in the cafeteria. The students who attend the party come to the cafeteria after school to paint pumpkins for organizations like Friendship Village, Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital and other local organizations.
In past years, PeaceJam has hosted the pumpkin painting party. This year, the National Honor Society (NHS) organized it for the first time with the help of seniors Ender Ross and Dominick Fooy.
“This year, the pumpkin painting party was really good. I think NHS performed really well,” said Ross. “We picked up the slack after PeaceJam. PeaceJam used to do the painting party and NHS just delivered it [the pumpkins]. I think we did a great job.”
There was a large turn-out for the painting party this year, with more than 350 student attendees.
Some of the students, like senior Aliandra Gone, were motivated by painting the pumpkins for a good cause. Spending your time doing something for other people can feel good to know that they are going to places where people will see the pumpkins.
“I donated my pumpkin to the preschool. I think it’ll make the kids feel special, and it’ll make them think ‘aw someone thought about me,’” said Gone.