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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Halloween contest winners put best faces forward


The results of The Spokesman-Review’s annual coloring contest.

The judges’ task this year was daunting.

More than 600 children from the Inland Northwest buried us in pumpkins – nearly double the number who submitted entries last year. Orange pumpkins. Purple pumpkins. Polka-dotted pumpkins.

It was hard to choose. But choose we did.

In the 0 to 4 age group, Spokane’s Ashley Davenport, at just shy of age 3, made a splash with her purple pumpkin. Judges loved that she didn’t feel compelled to stay in the lines, and they enjoyed the smirk her pumpkin bears.

Dylan Gagnon, age 3 ½ of Priest Lake, Idaho, earned praise for his bright and colorful mixed-media squash. The eyelashes were a hit as well.

Jake Barthuly, 4, of Rockford, crafted a traditional pumpkin, then took it up a notch with black felt eyes, nose and mouth and a green glittery stem.

In the 5 to 8 age group, Lucy Orton, 7, of Chattaroy, earned praise for her classic pumpkin laced with delicate details. The use of glitter glue and the intricate vines made an impression.

Lila Hartwig, 8, of Colbert, raided her family’s button collection to great effect. Judah Miller, 7, of Spokane, won the judges’ appreciation for his collage and his smart use of colors and textures to reflect sky, grass and gourd.

The winners of the 9 to 12 age group all hail from the Valley.

Charity Hritsco, 9, of Spokane Valley, wowed judges with her collage pumpkin, crafted from leaves. It looks stunning in person.

Mandi Wise, 10, of Spokane Valley, created an impressive and finely detailed one-eyed monster.

Tessa Neumann, 11, of Greenacres, meanwhile, went for the unexpected with her finely detailed, exquisitely colored pumpkin in waves of purple and orange.

The winners earn gift certificates for Mobius Science Center or Mobius Kids, and most entries are on display at Mobius Kids, in the lower level of Riverpark Square, 808 W. Main Ave.

Carolyn Lamberson, features editor