Lawrence Lately

A spooktastic, sweet and safe Trick or Treat

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Autumn is always one of everyone’s favorite seasons at Lawrence High School. There are football and soccer games and volleyball, and tennis matches, along with some of our best school events such as the school musical. However, the best and sweetest event is the Lawrence National Honor Society’s annual Safe Trick or Treat.

The event took place on Oct. 25. Children of all ages arrived at Lawrence High wearing Halloween costumes, makeup and more. All children had to be accompanied by an adult over the age of 18. Admission was $5 per family.

The high school and the honor society members and advisers — Jessica McComsey and Thomas Mugno — pride themselves in their ability to provide a safe environment for children to take part in fun activities and receive delicious treats as they travel throughout the school.

Candy donated by club members, advisers, teachers and administrators is sorted into several piles to be distributed to the clubs participating in the event. Each club had a room where the children went.

There was a spooky scavenger hunt in which participants followed clues until they arrived at the magical candy filled pumpkin, and a cotton candy machine that kept everyone coming back for more. The Lawrence High School Cheerleaders did temporary tattoos and the Drama Club sang, while the Art Club helped hand out the candy to the little police officers, princesses and monsters.

The girl’s varsity soccer team played a mini-game soccer game in the hallway and the Students Against Destructive Decisions had a haunting Halloween dance party. Both were a great way to release some energy after a night of sweet treats. The History Club had a Salem Witch Trials-themed room in which LHS students made gooey slime with the kids, while the Math Club made mummy magnets and coloring. The Focus on Helping America Club made other delicious treats such a witches brew, dirt and worms and witch hat cookies. The Key and Italian clubs and others had various activities as well.

Each group involved in the event spent weeks having meetings, creating and planning activities and gathering supplies. The exuberant smiles and laughter of every child who took part made every single drop of effort worth it. High school senior Heysel Baez, a member of the Honor Society, the Drama and History clubs and the girls’ soccer team said, “It was very nice to give the kids treats in a safe environment. Giving them candy and seeing their smiles when they finished each activity was very fulfilling and makes me very happy.”

I can say with confidence that our Spooktastic Safe Trick or Treat was a great success. But not because we raised a lot of money or because we had a great turnout. It was so successful because Lawrence High School students created amazing memories and brought families together in a safe yet enjoyable way to do the same. Putting smiles on the faces of little monsters, prisoners, animals and wizards was icing on the cake.