As opposed to traditional trick-or-treating, many children partook in celebrations at Haunted High School! Haunted High School is an annual event here at Monroe Township High School where young children are welcome to celebrate Halloween with games and other festive activities put together by MTHS clubs.
FBLA, Future Business Leaders of America, was the main organizer of Haunted High School, but other clubs also prepared stations that were all-things-spooky. An anonymous FBLA member shared, “FBLA played a key role in managing all the stations, including those of other clubs and our own.” From mazes and karaoke corners to pumpkin decorating and cultural activities, they had it all!
FBLA members, Maheen Khan (left) and Renee Reddy (right), set up a “Spooky Tattoos” station.
The event, held from 5:30-7:30 pm, on Wednesday, October 30th, had a great turnout with over 2,000 community members in attendance, many of whom arrived in costume. Set up started at 2:00 pm and a number of MTHS students volunteered to help out. Additionally, club members helped clean up following the event until 8:30 pm.
The entrance fee was $5 per child and accompanying adults were free. FBLA donated the proceeds of the event to the Mama Mare Breast Cancer Foundation with consideration to October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The event took place throughout the first floor with activities set up in the PAC lobby, Commons area, and both cafeterias. While most clubs had playful activities to accommodate the spooky holiday, other clubs chose to create their activities that coordinated with the purpose of their clubs.
For example, Spanish Honor Society decorated a room with altars and skeleton cutouts to teach incoming guests about Día de los Muertos, a holiday in which people with primarily Mexican backgrounds celebrate the lives of their loved ones who have passed on. Environmental Action Club, also, had an activity where kids were instructed to separate items depending on whether or not they need to be recycled.
Other clubs opted for photo booths, ring toss games, coloring pages, temporary tattoos, mini bowling, and more. Girl Up club member, Bhavna Dhanvadha-Moni, detailed their activity: “Our club created an obstacle course consisting of a cone race and hopscotch…many people from all over the town showed up to enjoy it.” Clubs also had specific themes such as Farmhouse Fun and the Willy Wonka Chocolate Factory.
Club members who stayed for the duration of the event dressed in costume. Photography club members were all dressed like minions from the Despicable Me movie franchise, while Student Council, HOSA, and Key Club members were dressed as farmers for their Farmhouse Fun theme.
Project FUN members pose in Disney-themed costumes!
Not only did Haunted High School allow children to celebrate Halloween within a safe environment, but through the event, MTHS was able to gather an ample donation of over $5,000 for an important cause. With such a great turnout and the constant enthusiasm of MTHS clubs, it is evident that Haunted High School will return for yet another successful year.