By Chrissy Dill
Staff writer
Halloween is just around the corner, and the residence halls of Southeastern are in preparation for trick-or-treaters and the Safe Trick or Treat event, held Halloween night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and organized by the Residence Life staff.
Safe Trick of Treat consists of carnival-style booths, such as cakewalk, duck pond, fishing, tattoos, face painting, etc., said Senior RA for Choctaw North Hall Sunni Roberts, all for the youth of Durant and the surrounding area, having distributed flyers and information available at Northwest Heights, Washington Irving and Robert E. Lee Schools.
“We have been very lucky that the Durant School District has been so helpful with letting us advertise in their elementary schools,” said Roberts.
Though all Residence Life staff is required to attend and help at the event, all student organizations on campus are encouraged to lend a hand and organize a booth or game for the kids. “We usually have several Greek life booths, Honors Advisory is participating this year, and several others in the past,” said Roberts.
Each year, a different group of individuals representing Residence Life organizes Safe Trick or Treat. “This year, it is the staff of North Hall: Shelby Shelton, Bailey Armstrong and myself are all the RA’s that are doing all the planning along with our hall director, Mike Davis,” stated Roberts. “We do have a lot of support from other hall staffs and Kally D’Arcy as well.”
In addition to the carnival booths conducted by participating student organizations and Residence Life staff, a haunted house is held each year in one of the residence halls. “This year, our haunted house will be in North Hall on the first floor,” said Roberts.
“In the past, we have had it in Shearer Hall also, but it was very difficult to manage the trick-or-treaters and the haunted house when they were so close together,” she added. “By moving it to another building we are not only eliminating some chaos but also involving other residents.”
Roberts said the annual Residence Life Safe Trick or Treat isn’t the scariest haunted house around, but the children always seem to find it fun and exciting. “Occasionally you have the criers and the ones that really don’t enjoy it, but I think 98 percent of the time the children love it,” she added.
According to Roberts, resident volunteers, this year being North Hall residents, dress up and play various characters in the haunted house as well as student volunteers that lead the children through.
If the child isn’t one for haunted thrills and scary masks, they will most likely enjoy the classic trick-or-treating and candy, according to Roberts.
“The residents are the ones that pass out the candy,” she stated. “We purchase the candy and supply everything; all they have to do is volunteer.”
The trick or treating is only held in Shearer Hall, Roberts said, but residents can still hand out candy from designated spots throughout the building.
Safe Trick or Treat has proved to be a successful event for Southeastern in past years. “Last year, we counted 998 people come through Shearer Hall, so that is what we are expecting again this year,” said Roberts.
“We always look forward to this event and the tradition we’ve created,” stated Roberts.