Spooky season is here! Costumes, festivals, candy, and chilling decorations were the norm for as long as most of us can remember. And even if you do not celebrate Halloween, you celebrate the next day with half-priced candy. Stevens is known for annually throwing its twist on trick-or-treating with “Quack or Treat.” However, amongst the pandemic, will Halloween festivities continue on the Stevens campus?
The short answer: yes! Student Life and the Student Government Association (SGA) were able to carefully and safely plan events for many of the students this year.
Over the last several days, Stevens Dining, Residential Education, and Student Life held pumpkin decorating events for on-campus students. Student Life was able to purchase pumpkins and art supplies for students to decorate to get into the fall season. Staff were also on hand to make sure that masks were worn and social distancing was maintained at all times.
Sara Klein, the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, and Leo Pedraza, the Assistant Dean of Students & Director of Student Life, only hope for a fun and safe Halloween for the on-campus students. Klein noted, “Students should continue to wear proper masks that cover their nose and mouth and maintain social distancing at social events, or participate in virtual programs.” She also mentioned how she hopes to continue to see the creativity on campus, stating “Stevens students always have fantastic costumes!”
Pumpkin decorating was not the only activity held to get into the spooky season. On Friday, October 30, Student Life and the Student Government Association (SGA) kept the Stevens tradition strong by hosting Quack or Treat. Normally, students are able to trick or treat at different offices around campus.
SGA Cabinet members Christian Bonavita, Vice President of Finance, and Hailey Tanner, Vice President of Student Interests, played a major part into organizing this year’s Quack or Treat. Bonavita explained, “It’s nice to encourage students to learn about where administrative offices are located and meeting Stevens’ amazing staff; however, we had to rethink this since we did not want to put people at risk.”
This year, Quack or Treat was condensed to one location, The Student Center Patio. Students were able to pick up a candy goodie bag, and those who wore costumes to collect their goodies had the chance to win some free Stevens swag. The SGA was able to add another virtual component to Quack or Treat that is new to this year’s festivities: a costume contest, which will be held on Saturday, October 31, at 5 p.m. via Zoom. Prizes for different categories, including the best Group, Scariest, Weirdest, and Best Character, will be offered. Any student will be able to show off their costumes.
Bonavita and Tanner were unable to be on campus to plan these events, but were able to organize them virtually with the help of Student Life staff, freshman SGA senators, and Resident Assistants (RAs).
Other Halloween festivities include a movie planned by Residential Education on Friday night in addition to their weekly trivia event on Saturday at 1 p.m., gripped with a Halloween theme and prizes for best costume. Zoom links for the SGA Costume Contest can be found on DuckLink, the SGA Instagram, or the Stevens Students Instagram (@stevensstudents).
Be First to Comment