A Pumpkin Race Where Every Kid Is A Winner

The entire school community comes out to watch each grade, divided by gender, take its turn running around the field. The Kindergartners go first and a few of the 5th graders run the course with them to encourage them to finish the entire course. At the end of the race, the three fastest girls and boys get to pick out a large pumpkin. The rest of the racers pick out a consolation prize from the patch of small pumpkins.

Over the years, it seems that the same kids usually win the annual pumpkin race. My daughter was always disappointed by the loss, but it wasn’t a big deal to her. S he enjoyed running and felt that she improved each year.

My son, on the other hand, was completely demoralized by the pumpkin race. In his class there are a couple of boys who have been gifted by genetics and a passion for sports who always win all the athletic contests.

In our school community, where sports programs are the popular choice and academic or civic programs are ridiculed (by the kids) and rarely supported (by the adults,) these athletic winners are the heroes of the playground.

I can understand that it is important to have a variety of opportunities, including athletic events, to give kids different opportunities to shine. I wonder, however, why there are so many opportunities for the athletically gifted, and so few for the intellectuals in our school district?

Fortunately, in homeschooling we are free to create new traditions. This year Alex participated in a much less competitive race of just three boys where everyone received a big pumpkin. He bounced in a trampoline, learned how to make lips and teeth (spread peanut butter on apple slices, add marshmallows,) and played with new friends. So much joy! So much happiness! This is a pumpkin race tradition that we can cherish.