By Theron Larkins
WOODLAND, Maine — Monday was the annual Woodchuck Day at the Woodland Consolidated School, as the first grade class got the day of chucking underway by letting the wood fly from the very first bell. Woodchuck Day supersedes Groundhog Day, as the ongoing tradition for the Woodland Woodchucks, and marks the beginning of their Winter Carnival.
The annual wood chucking contest, however, is an exhibit of school spirit that has only been going on for the last four years, but the students have embraced the tradition, and made it their own.
“I’ve been doing the Woodchuck Chucking Contest for four years and I actually got the idea from a Geico commercial with the woodchucks in it,” said Principal Susie Schloeman.
No matter where the idea came from, or how long the tradition has been in existence, it is a chance for the students of Woodland school to get outside and chuck some wood, which no doubt got everyone’s blood pumping on that chilly Monday afternoon.
“Being the Woodland Woodchucks, the day has always been celebrated on or around Groundhog’s Day and is the kickoff for the Winter Carnival,” said Schloeman. “I’ve worked the throwing contest into their Phys. Ed. class time, so they get some fresh air, along with the chance to show off their throwing skills.”
The grade K-4 Woodland Woodchucks took their places behind the starting line and attempted to toss two pieces of wood as close as they could to the center of a big orange circle painted in the snow. For the younger students this was the parameters of the wood chucking contest. It was a test of accuracy to see who could chuck their chunk of wood closest to the center of the circle. In the event of a tie the Woodchucks would determine the winners with a “chuck-off” of sorts, until only one male and one female Woodchuck from each grade was left standing.
“We declare a boy and girl winner from each grade level, and they receive a Woodchuck certificate. We have three students that have won in their grades for the past three years,” said Schloeman.
For grades 5-8 the goal was much more about distance than accuracy. The older Woodchucks took their places outside toward the end of the school day and prepared for a long-distance wood chucking contest. In this contest, the Woodchucks would build up as much momentum as possible before chucking their wood as far as they could. Principal Schloeman and volunteer judges and officials stood by with measuring tape to declare the winners.
“Our librarian, Cindy Privette makes Woodchuck bookmarks and a student that is wearing the costume distributes them to all the students. All of the students look forward to the throwing contest,” said Schloeman. “The older students will volunteer to come out and be an assistant Woodchuck, which is extremely helpful and the younger ones like that.”
Once again this year, eighth-grader Candace Lane was out sporting the Woodchuck’s mascot uniform, while she volunteered to help with the wood chucking and award ceremony, Receiving awards for their wood chucking skills this year in kindergarten were Kiana St. Jean and Bradan Pelletier, first-graders Mckenna Green and Aiden Noojin, and second-graders Addison Trombley and Keanen Masse, who have won the past three years. In third grade, Kay-Lee Parker and Trey Gilbert took the honors, while fourth- graders Juliet Littleton and Tanner Prashaw also claimed the top prize.
For the older students in grades 5-8 the winners were as follows: grade 5 saw Brooke Moir and Rylan Masse victorious, while sixth-graders Grace Schmitt and Joshua Ostlund won for their class. Grade 7 winners were Monica McLaughlin and Wyatt Taggett and grade 8 champions were Destiny Skidgel and Scott Bray– four winners who have been at the top of the annual wood chucking competition for three years running.
Therefore, the question on everyone’s mind can now surely be answered, at least in Woodland. Woodchucks do chuck wood, and they chucked a lot of it on Woodchuck Day.
