Safe Halloween returns to MHS
On Sunday October 30, 2016, hundreds of children and their parents waited outside Massapequa High School on a line that wrapped around the building. However, they weren’t waiting to enter the school, they were waiting to enter a Halloween wonderland that they look forward to visiting every year. Safe Halloween is conducted annually by volunteers from the SADD club who transform the high school hallways into different themes for the kids to enjoy. On this one day, kids fly through Neverland, visit Disney World, walk through candyland, and swim with Spongebob all while collecting candy in their best costumes.
“It’s the most well done Halloween event in town,” said Spanish teacher Mrs. Schellberg, a teacher at the high school who brought her children with her to the event, “My kids look forward to it every year.”
But the children aren’t the only ones who look forward to the event.
“I love seeing the kids’ smiling faces,” said senior Catherine O’Hara who volunteers for the event every year.
“It feels great to give back to the community” agreed sophomore Nino Baghashbill.
However, this event would not have been able to run without the supervision of SADD club officer Angela Gallucci who has been in charge of the club for the past four years. “The purpose of Safe Halloween is to create a safe and comfortable environment for children and parents to trick or treat without having to worry about the stress of going around the neighborhood and guaranteeing that their children have fun,” she explained.
But more than just SADD club members and officers help to make this special day happen. Candy is donated by students, staff, PTA, and Massapequa Moms to be handed out to the children by the different groups. With the combined effort of so many students and adults, the SADD club is able to create an incredible community experience for people of all ages to look forward to year after year.
