Local children celebrate Halloween on campus

Senior nursing majors Stephanie Murray and Adam Taylor greet 3-year-old Dion Mason and 2-year-old Anaya Buckley while trick-or-treating in Beall Hall.

Credit: Steve Schirra

Seven-year-old Ashley Scott knows what she wants – Snickers candy bars.

Dressed in a blue and gold Princess Jasmine costume, Ashley went trick-or-treating in McDowell and Beall Halls last night, a program sponsored by the residence halls and the National Residence Hall Honorary.

“I have the movie,” Ashley said, referring to her costume choice from the movie Aladdin. “I really like it.”

Ashley is one of many children who attended the Halloween festivities, which included trick-or-treating and a Halloween party with pumpkin painting and story readings.

Talitha Scott, Ashley’s mother and Akron resident, said she brought her daughter to trick-or-treat on campus because it’s warmer and safer than being outside.

“I heard about the (residence hall) party from my kid’s friend,” she said.

Children from Allerton Apartments and Ravenna’s King Kennedy Community Center also came to celebrate the holiday.

Sandra McKinney, director of the King Kennedy Community Center, helped children dressed as lions and cows collect candy throughout the halls.

“I really endorse it,” she said. “It’s safe for the children and (we) don’t have to worry about walking the streets or someone snatching a child.”

Helping unite the community and reaching out to the underprivileged were two of the reasons Residence Services participated, said John Flavelle, Beall Hall’s residence hall director.

Residents who spent the evening passing out candy agreed.

Sophomore fashion merchandising major Jamie Trimmer dressed as a construction worker and waited for trick-or-treaters with her friends and neighbors.

“We did the same thing in Terrace last year, and it was a lot of fun,” she said.

Trimmer said she thinks trick-or-treating in the residence halls is a better alternative to going downtown.

“It’s definitely a lot safer,” she said. “It’s a good way to bring in the community. I’m sure Allerton doesn’t feel connected to campus. It helps us celebrate, too.”

NRHH adviser Kristin Smith agrees the program will help bring the community closer.

“I’m sure this will bring the Allerton kids closer to campus,” Smith said.

Despite the smaller turnout this year, Smith said the program was still worth the hard work. She said it would be worthwhile even if only five children were to show.

“The point of it is for them,” she said.

Trick-or-treating in the residence halls will continue Sunday in Terrace Hall from 6 to 7 p.m. and in Prentice Hall from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Contact room and board reporter Stephanie Park at [email protected].