The Griffon News

Residence council held their fourth annual trick-or-treat off  the street for children in kindergarten to the sixth grade, October 30, 2007.

Vice president of Residence Council, Charles Howell said “This was an event for kindergarten to sixth grade students which provided safe trick-or-treating and a place where kids came to have a fun time.”

Trick-or-treat off the street was an event that gave children the opportunity to dress up in their favorite Halloween costume and trick-or-treat door to door on Missouri Western’s campus. The activities began in the commons building and travelled throughout the residence halls. As the night progressed the children played games in the commons area, colored Halloween decorations, got temporary tattoos and left Missouri Western with nothing less than a bag full of candy.

Students that reside on Missouri Western’s campus handed out treats, gave their younger guest a tour around the campus, and showed them nothing less than a good time.
Jen Kacere, residence hall director said “The event was very successful all the children that walked around had a great time, and the children that were waiting on a tour had a good time while they colored and got tattoos.”

“We held the event a day before Halloween in an attempt not to compete with other activities that may have been held on the actual day,” said Howell.

Even though the event was held the day before Halloween both Haug and Howell agree that the event was one that kept children safe even on Halloween. Parents did not have to worry about the safety of their children due to the fact that the children were supervised while on campus at all times.
Last year there was almost 250 children that participated and 30 to 40 Missouri Western students that participated in the event.

This year “the turnout was bigger by 100 to 150 children” said Kacere, “we had 20-25 students lead the children room to room, and we had about 60 rooms to visit.”

“Next year we expect trick or treat off the street to be just as successful,” said Kacere. Kacere also said that the Residence council did a lot of advertising at all the grade schools and middle schools in St. Joseph, and they will do the same next year so that they may have a larger turnout for the next Trick-or-Treat off the Street.

President of Residence council, Traci Haug said “We bundled packages of about 4,000 to go out to St. Joseph middle schools.”

“The event was advertised on KQ2,” said Howell “There was also a press release in the Griffon News.”

To Residence Council’s expectations the event was better than last year’s and Kacere said there was nothing that she would have changed, but “Next year we plan to have a lot more candy,” said Kacere.

“We had enough this year, but with the increasing number of kids each year I know we will have to purchase more next year.”

Kacere said that she and residence council were satisfied with the turnout of the event, and that they enjoyed seeing the costumes and spending time with the kids. Her hopes are that the experiences that the children have at Missouri Western will make them want to be apart of the school’s student body when the time comes.