Vanguard School aces scarecrow contest

Scarecrow-building students from Vanguard School competed in the 2011 Scarecrow Festival in St. Charles on Oct. 7-9. For the second consecutive year, Vanguard placed among the top competitors with its entry, “Homecoming,” which depicted a child greeting her soldier mother, returning home from duty.

The Vanguard team, comprised of captain Julia Sovcik, and members Kayla Woodward, A.J. Bays, Laura Kadlec, Angie Mazanova, Thad Struggles, Kyle Miller, Mario Rodriguez and Evan Cox, with faculty members Dr. Robert Koralik (English, History, Integrated Studies) and sponsor Natalie DeMeo (English, Art, Integrated Studies), brought home second place in the Traditional category.

Last year, Vanguard took third place in the Whimsical Category for the “Nightmare on North Avenue” display with a “Nightmare Before Christmas” theme.

Photos of this year’s winners in their respective categories may be found at the website, www.scarecrowfest.com/contest_winners.php.

Without a football team or formal sports program as in traditional high schools that celebrate Homecoming, Vanguard School’s “spirit” week is Halloween week. Participation in the Scarecrow Festival seems a natural fit for the students’ fall activities.

The St. Charles Scarecrow Festival has consistently been named one of the top 100 events in North America by the American Bus Association, which represents approximately 1,000 motor coach and tour companies in the United States and Canada.