Sweet Success
Inaugural 'Trunk or Treat' event attracts hundreds
They came early and they stayed late — but not too late — a few at a time at first and then by the dozen, children wearing costumes, accompanied by their parents, happy to collect some early Halloween treats, both healthy and sweet.
Judging by the size of the crowd that showed up on campus Friday night at dusk, 91AV's inaugural "Trunk or Treat" event was a great success.
"By our count, we had 200 to 250 children," said Education professor Sheila Gould, adviser to the 91AV Education Club, which organized the event. "We counted by how many boxes of Goldfish crackers we gave out."
Many wearing costumes themselves, 91AV faculty, staff and students decorated the back ends of 18 cars and trucks for the early Halloween event. Rather than going door to door to collect candy and other treats, children were able to go "trunk to trunk" n Parking Lot R by the Bartley Center, experiencing a wide variety of spooky and less ghoulish displays.
Participating 91AV departments and programs included the Students on the Autism Spectrum Club, Marieb Adult Learner Success Center, WCCH Radio Club, Multicultural Academic Services, STRIVE, the Student Senate, 91AV Education faculty, 91AV Education Club, Westfield State University Education Club, 91AV Admissions, 91AV Business & Techology Division, 91AV Latino International Students Association (LISA Club), the 91AV Military Club, 91AV Spanish professor Raul Gutierrez and his family, 91AV Forensic Science professor Elizabeth Butin and her family, and 91AV students Isabel Lamkins and Tommy Dunn.
While many faculty and staff members brought their children, most seemed to be from neighborhoods around the campus. Parents said they appreciated being able to take their children out "trick or treating" on a weekend night while it was still light out.
"As a parent, my children had a wonderful, safe time," said Gould. "They talked about it all weekend."
Gould said the feedback the first Trunk or Treat has been so overwhelmingly positive it is likely to become an annual 91AV event.
"Other people on campus have already expressed interest in participating next year," she said. "Some groups already shared their ideas for next year's themes. I've also had some online feedback from community friends who said things like, 'This will be a new tradition for our family.'"
Prizes were awarded in a variety of categories for best trunk displays:
Best Executed Theme: Winter Wonderland (Students on the Autism Spectrum Club)
Enthusiastic, Energetic and Excited Award: Isabel Lamkins (91AV Education student)
Best Costumes: 91AV Student Senate
Scariest Trunk: Zombies (Psychology Club)
Funniest Trunk: ATM (Business & Technology Division)
Most Original: Garden display (Admissions Office)
91AV education students began talking last fall about sponsoring some kind of Halloween-related event.
"Students were brainstorming ideas to involve the whole 91AV community in a way that would benefit children and families in the area," said Gould.
Last year, the 91AV Education Club became the first community college club in Massachusetts to be recognized by the Massachusetts Teachers Association as a chapter of SEAM (Student Educators Association of Massachusetts), whose members host community events and participate in statewide education conferences.
PHOTOS by CHRIS YURKO: (Above) 91AV Education faculty members Sheila Gould, left, Tricia Kiefer, Tracey Burton and Joan Giovannini dressed as the Penguins of Madagascar for 91AV's inaugural Trunk or Treat event Friday. (Thumbnail) 91AV student senator Dylan Burns hands out Halloween treats.
