‘Halloween Fun Night’ in 10th year

BY TRAVIS FICK
Managing Editor

Students may find monsters, Transformers and superheroes walking around Saint Mary’s University on Oct. 26, for the 10th annual community “Halloween Fun Night” event.

Sponsored by the Office of Residence Life, “Halloween Fun Night” gives SMU students an opportunity to interact with community members by handing out candy to local trick-or-treaters. Lance Thompson, assistant activities director and director of Saint Benilde and Saint Yon’s halls, is in charge of the event that hands out approximately 200 pounds of candy annually.

“Its kind of a big deal,” said Thompson. “The event was originally meant for low income families, but everyone is able to come.”

Thompson sends an announcement to local newspapers and flyers to public and private elementary schools in Winona and Rollingstone, Minn., as well as the Montessori school to notify the community of the event. Last year, around 100 dorm rooms participated in “Halloween Fun Night,” which brought more than 700 community members on campus during the hour and a half event.

“We almost had enough candy (last year), but we have run out of candy every year,” said Thompson. Thompson said handing out 200 pounds of candy requires donations from SMU faculty, students and staff, while the rest of the candy is purchased. Students can volunteer to lead participants around campus. “It is nice to see children walking around in costumes,” said Brittany Peterson, a senior who participated in the “Halloween Fun Night” event in 2007. “Sometimes things get pretty hectic around here, and it is a nice way to take a break.”

Some of the student tour guides belong to campus clubs and organizations such as cheerleading and rugby. “It’s fun to guide the kids around campus and get a little dressed up ourselves,” said senior cheerleading captain Sarah Frey. “Not only does it give the kids of Winona a safe opportunity to trick-or-treat, but it also gives the community of Winona a look into our Saint Mary’s community (…) and is a great way for us, as a team, to be a part of that.”

Students can volunteer to lead groups around campus by signing up with their resident assistant or by contacting Thompson at ljthomp01@smumn.edu.