Arturo Gomez Molina
Assistant Editor
To highlight six countries and the way they celebrate Halloween, the Campus Activities Board hosted “Halloween Around The World” Tuesday in the Campus Center Ballroom.
“There’s so many different countries that celebrate Halloween that we don’t really think about,” CAB multicultural chairwoman Alexis Patterson said. “I hope everyone can learn something new from this event to appreciate and think about other cultures more.”
Patterson is half El Salvadorean and said she celebrates Dia de los Muertos and All Saints Day with her family, and wanted to enlighten other students about different cultures and their traditions.
She also said she hopes this event helps relieve some of the stress students are beginning to feel with midterms just around the corner.
Students were encouraged to visit each booth that highlighted a different country and read about their various Halloween traditions.
The first booth was dedicated to China, followed by booths for the United States, Romania, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Students received a “passport,” which they presented to each booth to get initials from the respective countries.
Once the passports were completely filled, students turned them in to a CAB member to be entered into a raffle for gift cards and other prizes.
“I helped set up the event and have to make sure that everyone is initialed,” CAB major events co-chairwoman Ashley Sayas said.
“I’m glad everyone is having a fun time and hope they all learned something new,” she said.
While students roamed the event and visited each country, small crafts like wooden pumpkins, bat-shaped wind chimes and DIY lanterns were available at each booth for students to pick up and decorate.
Tables were spread out equipped with markers, crayons, and glue to inspire students to bring out their inner creative Halloween spirit.
“My friend Jacky told me about this event and I had to come,” freshman music major Kathleen Garcia said. “So far I’ve decorated my skull with eyes and managed to pop a glitter gel pen.”
Garcia said she would return to CAB events if they have more experiences like this one.
As students settled into their seats, spooky music played over the speakers to set the Halloween mood.
Pumpkin spice muffins, chocolate covered Rice Krispies and full-size Snickers and Twix bars decorated a table for everyone to enjoy.
“I came tonight because I thought it was good to socialize with my sorority and discover customs and traditions of different cultures,” senior biology major and Alpha Omicron Pi sorority member Mayra Marchington said. “I’m glad they had a little information on each country so I can appreciate other student’s cultures on campus this month.”
This is the last Halloween themed event CAB has until the end of the month as they transition to homecoming events next week.
Arturo Gomez Molina can be contacted at arturo.gomezmolina@laverne.edu.
