Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in America, and I had heard that the holiday spirit was on full display at the Hollis Center on Tuesday, Oct. 29. So, of course, I had to check it out. 

As the sun began to set, I entered the building. Immediately, bedsheet ghosts could be seen lurking around every corner, while creepy bugs — including a balloon spider — hid in the shadows, patiently waiting for unsuspecting students to be lured within reach by the tempting sight of candy as spooky tunes played in the background. 

In a frightening turn of events, I found that our beloved gym was no longer a gym at all. It had transformed into Haunted Hollis! 

Of course, I’m exaggerating — though the ghosts really were scary — because after scanning my ID and picking up my stamp sheet and goody bag, it became clear that the real purpose of Haunted Hollis wasn’t to frighten, but to educate and entertain. 

As I perused among the elaborate decorations to the tune of Thriller by Michael Jackson, I noticed six tables positioned along the main hallway. Each station was coordinated by a subgroup of the Stetson’s Wellness & Recreation Department, including Wellness, Recreation, PACT, Sports Programs, Group Fitness and Stetson Outdoor Adventure Recreation (SOAR). 

Each station also had its own interactive activity and message to educate students on the importance of healthy wellness and recreation practices. 

As I explored the hallway, I visited each station. I stopped to participate in the entertaining activities — sorting movies by comedy versus rom com, doing yoga poses from tarot cards and drinking mocktails were the most memorable. I collected my station stamps, which could be exchanged for a t-shirt once completed, and of course, I got healthy doses of candy before going on my way. 

As Spooky Scary Skeletons began to play on the radio, I left the final station and headed down the hallway full of bustling students to the main table, where I presented my completed stamp sheet and was rewarded with a very well-designed Haunted Hollis themed t-shirt! 

As I exited the building, I reflected on the experience I had and realized that aside from the foreboding atmosphere, the real heart of “Haunted Hollis” wasn’t that spooky. 

I found that I had learned about all kinds of things, from the problematic nature of how stalking is romanticized in movies, to the importance of being physically active and even how to engage in smart and safe alcoholic drinking practices.

And that, unlike those pesky ghosts, isn’t scary at all!

– Alex Douma