Photo by Travis Pratt Warren Stewart, 7, a second-grader at Friends Meeting School, takes part in a seed-spitting contest Saturday afternoon in Ijamsville at the school’s Fall Fun Day.

They were spitting pumpkin seeds; riding ponies; playing sandbox games; eating picnic food; running; laughing; and lining up for turns at booths labeled "Lasso Old Love," "Pelt the Pumpkin," "Cauldron Eyeball toss," "Go fishin'," and "Dunk the Ghost."

The Friends Parent Organization had organized the annual event for fun and funds, said Jenn Wilhelm, event coordinator.Many cheerful parents like Valerie Willis of Damascus were helping out.

"I love this school," Willis said.

Her son Jared, now in ninth grade, started at the school two years ago. Daughter Tori, in seventh grade, started last year.

Willis said the school has "a great family community" and a caring environment that encourage students to succeed without anxiety.

That is what sets the school apart, said Annette Breiling, head of school.

"Kids feel good about being in school," Breiling said.

Printed on the school sign and its literature is "Seek and Speak Truth and Love."

With just 100 students in pre-kindergarten through ninth grade, the school is a close community, Breiling said.

"It's an amazing, vibrant community," Wilhelm said, "a really a well-supported group."

Willis' husband, Michael, was hauling families on hayrides, while Tori spat pumpkin seeds.

Tori was no match for parent Adam Henson, who spat while his 5-year-old daughter, Stella, and 3-year-old son, Leo, watched. If there had been a ballpark, Henson's seed would have gone out of it.

"I come from a long line of seed spitters," Henson said with a wry smile.