No Tricks, Only Treats: a Safe Halloween for Kids

On October 26, 2017, Cedar Shoals hosted its second annual Safe Trick-or-Treat event which brought in around 1,200 kids who were all on the same mission: to obtain candy.

Safe Trick-or-Treat was a collective effort led by the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Peer Leadership class.

“The event is more than just candy. We wanted it to be about the experience. The safe and free candy is, of course, a bonus,” said Megan Ogden, English teacher and a coordinator of SGA.

Many Cedar club lead booths, such as SGA and Interact Club, that hosted activities like face painting, math games, and claw machines. Although the main goal was to entertain kids with a safe and enjoyable Halloween, students and teachers see other benefits coming out of it as well.

“The event made a very positive impact on the Cedar community by giving the community an insight on the fun we have at Cedar and how we really enjoy interacting with others and our peers,” said Ka’lah Paige, SGA President. “We did something bigger than ourselves and showed love to others by providing the children and parents a new option for trick or treating.”

“It’s just a great way to bring the community together. It was heartwarming to see all of the different individuals who got involved. Clarke Central was a huge support in supplying candy, and we also had many businesses who donated coupons, candy, cookies, and more,” Ogden said.

William Lee, English teacher and head coordinator of SGA, believes this gives students a chance to promote their leadership skills and display the positive aspects of Cedar.

“The efforts of the students alone will show the positive sides of Cedar. Well over a hundred students from here came, gave out candy, and dressed up,” Lee said. “It says a lot about the students that don’t make the news.”

Lee hopes this event will create a positive experience for kids as well as show support for the community.

“Community support is a big thing. It’s a huge thing to be able to get nearly 1,500 kids in the building. There are a lot of neighborhoods that are not so safe and so we want to give them a good location, and a good experience in high school.” Lee said.

“Not only are we providing a service for our elementary school students and their families, we are also providing students an opportunity for our Cedar Shoals students to show off their leadership skills towards the community,” Ogden said.

Cedar students were excited to bring their little ones to the event.

“I think Safe Trick-Or-Treat is a good opportunity for my little brother to be involved in the school. I want to show him that education can be a good thing and school is more than just a place where you learn math and science,” said Radwan Jammoul, eleventh grade. “He was able to interact with kids his age which I think is important.”

“I brought my little nephew because we don’t really celebrate Halloween so I wanted him to have fun and a good experience with something new,” said Gigi Mouele, sophomore.

“As a parent, I just really wanted him to have fun, and also introduce him to everyone,” said Cedar parent and English teacher Katie Johnson.

With the turnout being almost 1,500, Safe Trick-Or-Treat ended up being a great success.

“My brother had a lot of fun, he danced around in his scooby doo costume outside and everyone complimented him, he was really happy,” said Jammoul.

“It was very creative, everyone did a really good job, especially the haunted house. Me and my nephew went inside and we had so much fun, but he definitely did not want to go back in,” Mouele said laughing.