Kids learn pumpkin art
By JESS MANCINIArticle Photos
ELLENBORO - Ellenboro Elementary School Principal Steve Lewis gives his students a special treat each Halloween.
Lewis is an avid jack-o-lantern carver and uses his talent every year to astound both student and adult alike.
He's carved presidents, actors and sports figures and this year used a photograph of his newest grandson among his latest creations.
"I've been doing it for quite a while," Lewis said.
Lewis has been carving jack-o-lanterns for more than 20 years. The first chief executive he carved was President Ronald Reagan and has done each American president since then in order of their terms, George Bush Sr., Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
Last year he did President Barack Obama and GOP presidential nominee Sen. John McCain.
Among personalities carved into a pumpkin was the legendary actor John Wayne and country singer Johnny Cash. Sports star and professional golfer Tiger Woods has also graced a Lewis jack-o-lantern.
Lewis this year created a jack-o-lantern of cartoon character Bart Simpson. A finger gourd contoured to the shape of the pumpkin was used as the top of Bart's hair, Lewis said.
But his pride this year is the jack-o-lantern of his new grandson, Seth, who is 6 months old. Lewis used a computer program to create the pattern from a photograph of his grandson.
"He is the best thing that has ever happened to me," said Lewis, who comes from a family of all girls.
Students have come to expect his creations. He lives near the elementary school on the bus route, so every morning he lights the jack-o-lanterns for the pupils to see on their way to class.
"At around 6:30 in the morning I light them," Lewis said.
Halloween is Saturday.
Lewis will explain the art of making a jack-o-lantern today during the annual Halloween celebration at the school. No knives are used, but the kids can take the pumpkins home to be carved by their parents, he said.
In the afternoon, students will don their costumes for the Halloween parade.
"It's become a tradition," Lewis said.





