The sound of shrieking students fills the hallways of a school that is usually quite peaceful. There are zombie patients with intestines flowing out of them like the A&P cats, and evil physicians that have haunted the building since its founding, quietly whispering medical terms.
Spookiness filled the school on Oct. 23, as the class of 2017 hosted the first Fall Festival, welcomed the new season and celebrated Halloween. Many clubs participated in the event, which included performances from the Korean club, South Asian Student Association, and Drama club, working together to welcome students and their families into the school.
“There was a lot going on, but the craziness all came together to make a good blend of clubs and people,” sophomore Sophia Xu said.
The Drama club organized a “Haunted Hospital,” a medical twist on the classic haunted houses seen during Halloween. Students paid tickets to walk through various scenes and witness their fellow classmates drenched with blood or dressed in other gory costumes.
“My favorite part was the haunted house. It was so scary,” English teacher and junior class sponsor Bonita Saucedo said.
The event included other festivities such as games and the opportunity to place people in “jail” for various crimes. Students, teachers, and family members were captured, bound in rope, and placed in the makeshift trap until they could place bail by surrendering a ticket.
“Jail was wonderful,” Latin teacher and Latin club sponsor Clyde Lehmann said. “It was like a hotel.”
Since Halloween is near, the class of 2017 officers invited all to dress up in costumes, and both students and teachers took advantage of this opportunity. Costumes such as ‘Where’s Waldo’ (sophomore Joshua Paez), Indiana Jones (Assistant Principal Brad Hebert), and Frida Kahlo (Saucedo) could be seen throughout the night.
“I love dressing up weird and not having to worry about people making fun,” junior Jahnavi Padarti said.
Many students believe the Fall Festival should be an October tradition because it gives students a break from school stress to enjoy time with their friends.
“We don’t have a homecoming,” junior Jose Garcia said. “So, in a way, this makes up for all the things we miss.”
From the “Haunted Hospital” to the creative costumes, students and teachers alike agreed that the Fall Festival was a great start to a tradition soon to be made.
“I’ll go to Fall Fest every year, and I think you should too,”Lehmann said.
