Smash a pumpkin, win $411.

It was just that easy for one BYU student.

The411.byu.edu, BYU’s online entertainment guide, held the “Pumpkin Smash for Cash” on Thursday.

Hundreds of students gathered in Brigham Square to watch the event.
Vocal Point, BYU’s a cappella ensemble, entertained the crowd in preparation for the contest. 
More than 400 students registered to participate and 10 were selected to smash a pumpkin. 

Sara Orton, a junior majoring in geography, was the grand-prize winner.

She said she was both happy and surprised to have won the money.

“I was looking at all the other people thinking they had such better odds,” she said.  “I wasn’t expecting to win.” 

Participants had to be present to win and Orton said she is grateful she stuck around.

“I was the fourteenth person to be called,” she said. “I’m really happy the others weren’t here.”

The other nine participants received gift certificates to Los Hermanos and 411 T-shirts.

Shayne Durrant, the advertising director for The Daily Universe, said the event was held to promote the 411.

“We want everyone to know about the 411.” he said. “The site is specifically for students, and we just want to get the word out.”

Students were also able to reminisce about their youth and learn about the 411 earlier this week when the Brimhall Building welcomed trick-or-treaters, regardless of their age.

Treat-seekers who came to the Brimhall’s east door Monday through Wednesday were greeted with candy and popcorn and were invited to register for Thursday’s pumpkin smashing event.  

To learn more about the 411, visit the411.byu.edu.