Editor’s Note: Additional reporting for this story by Ari Sarmiento.
Screams will echo through the gyms, candy will pile high on game tables, and colorful costumes will fill the halls as the Student Council’s Halloween Carnival returns with spooky fun, laughter and community spirit.
The Halloween Carnival is set for Wednesday, Oct. 29 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the main campus, filling the cafeteria, B Gym and C Gym with games and activities for elementary and middle school students. Families must purchase $10 worth of tickets to enter, with extra tickets available during the event for 50 cents each. All children must be accompanied by a parent or a guardian who is 18 years of age or older.
Event Coordinator Blair Green said the carnival is one of the school’s favorite fall traditions and an exciting way to bring families together.
“It’s a way for the community to come together and for the younger kids to see how fun our school can be,” Green said.
High school students may only attend the carnival as volunteers for booths. Volunteers are required to have a wristband and their ID badge for identification. Mark Yanda, the student body senior class secretary, said this restriction makes the event more “kid friendly.”
“I feel like when a little kid comes up to see a high school, they’d be intimidated, but that’s not what we wanted to do,” Yanda said. “So, now it’s like more of a safe, friendly space to just have fun.”
Green said the event also gives students opportunities to take on leadership roles by helping plan, decorate and volunteer during the night.
“The students really run the show,” Green said. “They come up with booth ideas, decorate and make sure everything runs smoothly.”
Yanda said the haunted hallway will once again be one of the main highlights of the night.
“We wanted to make it a little spookier than last year but still fun for the little kids,” Yanda said. “We’re using the B Gym again and adding new props and designs that make it look amazing.”
Senior Yohanna Garcia, StuCo LISD liaison officer, said organizing the carnival takes a lot of teamwork and preparation.
“We started planning right at the beginning of October,” Garcia said. “There’s a lot to do like decorating, setting up booths and organizing volunteers, but it’s all worth it when you see the kids smiling.”
One change Green noted this year is all attendees will go through weapons detection as a safety precaution. Garcia said the added security helps families feel comfortable.
“It might be a little inconvenient, but knowing everyone is safe makes it worth it,” Garcia said.
Yanda said the haunted house is always a crowd favorite, but the booths and games are just as exciting.
“Everyone loves the haunted house,” Yanda said. “But the games are great too. You can win candy and prizes, and it’s fun to see everyone laughing and having a good time.”
Garcia said she enjoys seeing everyone come together to create something special.
“It’s not just about Halloween,” Garcia said. “It’s about giving back and making memories for the families who come out every year.”
Several school clubs will participate this year, including NHS, BSU, volleyball, basketball, golf and Spanish Club. Each group will run its own booth with different games and prizes. Activities expected to make an appearance at the carnival include piñatas from the Spanish Club, beanbag toss by ASL Club and an Operation game by HOSA. The groups will be able to keep the money their booths make during the night.
Green, who also teaches family and consumer sciences, said the clubs hosting the booths can also use the event as an opportunity to market their organization to younger generations.
“All the attendees that are coming are not high school kids,” Green said. “As we’re trying to build our programs, it gives them the exposure to what organizations we have within our triad to be able to help those programs grow, get them introduced early on, to where it gets them excited to become a Future Farmer.”
Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes, though masks or face coverings or any weapon-like props that could set off alarms are not allowed. Green said the event has continued to grow each year, with new attractions being added.
“I mean, we know not every community has the ability to go out and go trick or treating in their own neighborhood,” Green said. “This is giving them that opportunity to do something as a family together in a safe area, in a safe place, and to have some fun all at the same time.”
Yanda said one of the best parts is seeing the kids’ reactions throughout the night.
“Yeah, I mean, I don’t know if it’s selfish, but making kids happy, it’s just so rewarding in itself,” Yanda said. “And I feel like when you do that, it’s just like, oh, I want to keep doing it. I want to bring the community, and I just want to be like a light in the community.”
Green said the Halloween Carnival gives families a safe place to celebrate together while supporting school organizations.
“It’s a great community event that gives kids a safe and fun place to enjoy Halloween,” Green said. “Seeing their faces light up makes all the planning worth it.”
