SGA Hosts ‘Spooky’ Event

By: Christopher Hutson
Staff Writer

Meramec got spooky this Oct. 27 during its third annual Trunk or Treat event, which brought together many students, neighborhood kids and parents for a night of haunted fun.

Originally held in the parking lot, the Student Government Association started Trunk or Treat to give local children a safe alternative to trick-or-treating. Campus clubs would decorate vehicles and serve up sweets out of the trunk.

“We have a number of students who are parents,” said Carolyn O’Laughlin, Manager of Campus Life. “Often our events don’t apply but this is certainly one that does. We make sure to invite the children of the faculty and staff so they can attend too.”

According to O’Laughlin, who helped coordinate the event, it’s often difficult for parents who are working and going to school full time to find a trusted area in which to trick-or-treat.

But thanks to the efforts of the faculty and students, that is no longer a problem.

“It’s just to have a good time,” said O’Laughlin. “To escape for a little bit.”

The event has since moved to the Student Center cafeteria, but although the location has changed, the spirit of the event has not. The many clubs set up tables with themes based around their club, complete with a Halloween twist. There were also games and, of course, candy. Children contributed to the atmosphere by dressing up as their favorite superhero, villain, princess or animal.

Many of the students, faculty and visitors also wore costumes. Some dressed from classics like Disney’s “Lilo and Stitch” or “Wonder Woman”, while some were original adaptations.  A kid version of Zoom from DC’s “The Flash” was spotted briefly before racing off. Also on scene was a giant skeletal tyrannosaurus posing for pictures with children and parents.

The games were catered towards children, meaning that win or lose, participants still got a prize. There was also a DJ that played spooky classics that made a lot of the kids get up and dance while their parents, students and faculty could chat amongst themselves.

“It’s an event that students get to mingle,” said O’Laughlin. “You get to be a kid again and have fun…it’s a benefit for all of us.”

The diversity of Meramec students was displayed through the numerous participating clubs who attempted to attract attention with their table offerings. The Campus Crusaders for Christ, for instance, spread their message through pieces of papers attached to candies with vaguely Halloween-themed text from the Bible.

The chemistry club used a more scientific approach to attract new recruits. When one of the students held out his hand the other would mix two solutions together, which was then filtered through a tube, producing a large white bubble. The bubbles were then stacked atop each other, creating a bubble ghost and surprising students, parents and kids alike.

Tricia Duffin, advisor of Meramec’s theater club, said she had five students who dressed up, decorated their table and handed out candy.

“I think it was more about…getting the clubs involved in the community,” said Duffin. “We have a lot of students that are of various ages and have kids and various needs. It’s kind of an opportunity to get them to know that we’re here, that we have clubs and activities they can join.

It was evident by the smiles present on everyone’s faces that the third annual Trunk or Treat was a complete success.

“Our students really enjoyed putting it on, so it’s really fun for them, and it benefits our larger community,” said O’Laughlin.