Chilly weather moves annual ASI event indoors.
By Kira Licht, Staff Reporter
Toros wrapped up October with a series of themed events, culminating with the annual Halloween Haunt.
Hosted by Associated Students, Inc. on Oct. 30 in the Loker Student Union Ballroom, “Five Nights at Teddy’s” was the theme of the season’s signature campus event — a play on the survival-horror franchise “Five Nights at Freddy’s.”
Campus groups and departments organized events ahead of the Halloween Haunt, including SpookEsports hosted by the Toro Esports Academy and All Hallows Tide presented by the College of Education.
In past years, Toros celebrated the Haunt outside LSU. Although gray and chilly skies usually work wonders to set an eerie mood in October, the gloomy weather on the day of the Haunt forced organizers to relocate festivities indoors.
“One of our main concerns this year was the uncertainty around the weather,” said Angie Tesso, ASI programming assistant. “To be on the safe side and ensure the event ran smoothly, we decided to bring it indoors so everyone could have a great time.”
In planning the Haunt this year, organizers also had to make do with limited funding. The Anime Club, for example, had to rely on additional support from ASI to make the most of their initial $500 budget.
“We hoped for more, and thankfully, ASI provided an additional $200,” explained Marcy DelGatto, president of the Anime Club. “That extra support really helped us get the event off the ground.”
Campus radio station KDHR kept the crowd moving inside the ballroom, while costumed Toros competed in a spirited contest that showcased everything from classic horror icons to anime favorites. Around the room, photo booths, face painting stations, and raffle prizes added to the energy as the scent of pizza and pastries wafted through the air.
The efforts of organizers to make the Haunt memorable didn’t go unnoticed by attendees. Xochitl De La Torre, an advertising and public relations student, told The Bulletin that she was pleasantly surprised by the scope of the event.
“It’s my first year here, so I really didn’t know what to expect,” De la Torre said. “I’m honestly surprised that events like this actually happen on campus.”