Storybook Pumpkin Patch Contest

USO Hawaii supported Mokapu Elementary Reading Literacy Week as part of the Bob Hope Reading Legacy Program. The Storybook Pumpkin Patch Contest was held this year to commemorate Reading Literacy Week, a time when children are encouraged to read. This contest promotes literacy while also encouraging students to express their creative side, by decorating a pumpkin as a character from their favorite book. A total of 30 pumpkins were provided by the USO Hawaii for students and their families to decorate.

Students and their families had one week to decorate and submit their pumpkins. Once submitted, the pumpkins were displayed in the library for students and staff to admire. Following the voting, the winning pumpkin was announced in the first week of November by the school staff and faculty. The Holden Smith & Family won first place for their creation of the Monster University character, Mike Wazowski. In second place, Villalba Family created a character representing Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). In Mexico, Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a celebration in honor of the spirits of the deceased, in which food, drink, and festivities are included. In third place, the Chorney Family created the character from the book “Is There Room on the Broom.”

There was a great deal of excitement around the pumpkin decorating contest. Through this contest, families united over the love of reading and creating something together. Each amazing decoration showed the result of details and creativity. A number of students mentioned how it helped spark fond memories and a new interest in some of their favorite books when they watched their favorite characters come to life in their pumpkin decorations.

An event such as this contest is what the Bob Reading Legacy Program is all about. It generates interest in reading, promotes literacy, and encourages creativity. The USO Hawaii looks forward to collaborating with Mokapu Elementary and other organizations to support programs like this in the future.