Tricks Before Treats

By: Laura Cofrancesco

            It is a brisk October evening at Frostburg State University, but inside the Lane Center it is warm with students’ enthusiasm. Just outside the ARMAH room students dressed in full Halloween attire, white face paint and all, glide around making last-minute preparations before the nights festivities. Eager students gather around the entrance to the Haunted House event which took place Thursday, October 27 held by the members of UPC.
           
            Now seven o’clock, the ghoulish students explain to the very first participants of the walk-through that there shall be “no hitting” and warn that “no matter how scared you may become, please do not run”. With this advice, the first three students enter the haunted house. A few minutes later blood-curdling screams can be heard. Meanwhile, the first group of people exits the haunted house with pale faces and wide eyes. They are a group of girls and they start warning everyone already in line not to go in. Right after them come a group of guys from the football team, laughing and smiling amidst the screams heard from inside. One very brave student Keenan Alsup says of his experience, “It was scary I guess” as he walks away unfazed.

            Inside the huge blow-up haunted house, it is so dark the interior surroundings are barely visible. The only things that can be heard are the screams of frightened students and the creepy music that blares overhead. Before even turning the first corner, a huge white monster with a red painted face and black eyes jumps out from a dark hole. Bewildered, students scream while holding on to each other, and then they continue to venture on into the dark abyss. They bump into the plush walls as it is hard to see in this dark maze of a house. Even more goblins and clowns jump out at the students from what seem to be dead ends, and half of a person can be seen writhing and convulsing on the floor. After this scene, the students screech and rush out of the haunted house as if running for their lives. Once outside, they stand bent over while panting and laughing at each other. One student Rebecca Singh says, “It was so scary it had my heart pounding the whole time”.

            While students finish the walk-through, there is a refreshment table set up waiting for them. On it are meats and cheeses artistically laid out as well as snacks. At the far table there is even a make-your-own-cupcake station. Chocolate and vanilla cupcakes sit on one end followed by orange whipped icing, and black and purple sprinkles. Members of UPC hand out survey cards to students as they finish eating the delicious assortment of finger foods. While chatting about the success of the event, Brittany Alvarez says, “I really liked the lane haunted house! I am hoping for a bigger and better one next year”. Some of her friends disagree; this haunted house was a little too scary for them.


For more University Events, please visit http://www.frostburg.edu/events/index.cfm