On Halloween day, Housing opened its gates, inviting the Turlock community to engage in their Halloween Gala. At the gala, trick-or-treaters were able to participate in various small games, arts and crafts tables and even a circus-themed haunted hallway for a light scare.
Gates officially opened at 6 p.m., with hundreds of families waiting to at last get in to start trick-or-treating and partake in different activities with their little ones.
Housing residents volunteered by passing out candies from their own dorms, and by assuring that the little ones walked away with a smile on their faces.
Phase one of Housing consisted of a small cemetery, a mini bowling alley and of course, the haunted hallway. Housing’s Great Lawn (their biggest lawn area) had a few more mini games where children still had the opportunity to win more candy and other prizes, but most importantly, this area of Housing was also used to host a costume contest for children who were age 12 and under.
Peer Academic Leader Sintia Godines-Muñoz (sophomore, Kinesiology) enjoyed entertaining the children at the gala.
“I enjoyed the little ones’ presence on campus. They are smart, creative children walking around Housing with their unique, cute costumes,” Godines-Muñoz said. “I was very impressed when I saw a kid wearing a homemade costume that made it seem like he was holding his own head inside of a jar.”
The Housing Office itself had a photo booth set for both the “Frozen” theme and the “Star Wars” theme of the Halloween Gala. Assistant Director of Housing Rebekah Gregory was dressed as Elsa, one of the main characters from “Frozen.” A few of the residents were dressed as Darth Vader and Chewbacca from “Star Wars,” and posed for pictures with children.
Stephanie Landeros (junior, Sociology) was in charge of the interior decorations for Housing.
“Housing was very creative this year by making the decorations very detailed and well-made. Just seeing these kids happy to see either Elsa, Darth Vader or Chewbacca, I knew we were making their night fun, and their smiles were priceless,” Landeros said.
For the 22^nd year, Housing hosted yet another successful Halloween Gala. Housing hopes that by hosting such event on campus, they are implicitly giving the little ones an early exposure of the college experience.