Members of the Clarke Central High School Community Service Club pose in front of their club’s car during Trunk-or-Treat on Oct. 26. The event, located in the CCHS bus loop, provided a unique alternative to traditional, nighttime trick-or-treating for the youth of Athens. “The costumes and stuff (are) cool, and being outside and in the daytime is very interesting, too,” parent Shaimaa el-Shafie said. Photo by Aza Khan
The Clarke Central High School TriM Honor Society club hosted the Trunk or Treat event for the Athens community on Oct. 26.
Members of the Athens community donned their cloaks and capes before making their way to the annual Clarke Central High School Trunk-or-Treat Halloween celebration in the CCHS bus loop from 5-7 p.m. on Oct. 26.
Trunk-or-Treat, hosted by the TriM Music Honor Society, featured costumed students, teachers, children and parents, all of whom came together to get a head start on Halloween festivities.
For parent and CCHS science department teacher Sophia Campbell, the event provided an alternative to traditional trick or treating.
“It’s nice to have a safe place for your kids to go,” Campbell said. “It’s (also) nice to know that there are still extracurricular activities that are trying to do outreach with the community.”
Trunk or Treat attendees pose in the Clarke Central High School bus loop on Oct. 27. CCHS parent Katie King believes Trunk or Treat is beneficial to the Athens community. “(This event) seemed like a really fun event (and it) looks like all the kids are having a really good time,” King said. “I think it’s a cool way to just get people to come out and have fun and just have a little sense of community.” Photo and story by Aza Khan
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For Clarke County School District parent Shaimma el-Shafie, Trunk-or-Treat provided the ability to broaden her children’s worldview.
“I have three kids in elementary school and we don’t have (anything) similar (to this) in my home country, (so) I’m just exposing the kids to American culture (and) Halloween,” el-Shafie said. “When we arrived and adjusted to the U.S, the pandemic started, so we didn’t go outside for events and stuff, so (this event is) very cool.”
The event also served as a way for CCHS clubs and student organizations to have a spotlight put on them. CCHS Anime Club member Havona Jean-Phillipe, a sophomore, saw Trunk-or-Treat as a way for her club to cement its place at the school.
“I have three kids in elementary school and we don’t have (anything) similar (to this) in my home country, (so) I’m just exposing the kids to American culture (and) Halloween. When we arrived and adjusted to the U.S, the pandemic started, so we didn’t go outside for events and stuff, so (this event is) very cool.”
— Shaimma el-Shafie,
CCSD parent
“As an anime club, we’re not super (well)-known or important, so we wanted to contribute and participate to make sure that we’re known as (more than just) a random club to have fun,” Jean-Phillipe said. “I don’t usually participate in school events, but I took the initiative to be more involved with school spirit, and I’m actually enjoying myself.”
According to TriM adviser Dr. Eunice Kang, CCHS Director of Orchestras, the event was a success for the community.
“(It’s great) seeing the adorable kids in their costumes and students able to see their teachers,” Kang said. “I love seeing the whole community come together.”
Story by Mykolas Kumpis
Photos by Aza Khan