The Springs School held its annual Idiom Contest in the big gym for students in sixth through eighth grades recently.
An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning is different from the words themselves. And the contest is a way for middle school students to have some fun on Halloween while also learning some figurative language.
Students were asked to dress up as idiomatic phrases of their choice, such as “it’s raining cats and dogs” or “when pigs fly.”
Sofia Rowe, a seventh grader, seemed excited for the contest, especially when she reflected on her experience last year. She chose the idiom “don’t rain on my parade.” Choosing her costume and joining the contest was fun, not stressful, she said, and her English language arts teacher, Danielle Hamilton, “helped make everything easier.” This year Sofia’s idiom costume was a group effort with her friends Julia Stillman and Saoirse Quinn. They were “up the river without a paddle.”
For sixth graders, this was the first time students got to participate in the popular contest, and they were excited to join in the fun and dress up. “I’ve been waiting for the idiom contest for a whole year because I think it’s truly fun and a way to express creativity,” said Maddie Wesnofske.
The grand prize winner was the sixth grader Isabelle Etzel. She was dressed as the idiom “I’m all ears.” Her costume was a black outfit with fake ears attached to it. She won three Starbucks gift cards, a bucket of candy, and a trophy with a dancing skeleton on top.
By Penni Picco, Grade 6, Springs School Journalism Club