The Mid-Pen parking lot glowed under strings of lights, the air buzzing with laughter, music, and the sound of candy dropping into halloween bags. One by one, families from the community made their way past rows of decorated cars—each with its own twist. There were haunted graveyards, a Mardi Gras parade bursting with color, spider-covered trunks, a pirate ship, and even Grandma’s cottage from Little Red Riding Hood.

It wasn’t an ordinary evening at Mid-Pen—it was the Black Student Union’s (BSU) first-ever Trunk or Treat, a free Halloween celebration that invited local families to enjoy a night of fun, creativity, and connection.

The event drew around 100 guests and featured more than 20 decorated trunks, hosted by volunteers from the Mid-Pen community—including staffulty, parents, and students—who handed out candy and compliments to the many costumed kids making their way from trunk to trunk.

Alongside the decorated cars, guests enjoyed a spooky photo booth, face painting, and a BSU Snack Shack. Two local small businesses also joined the celebration: The Lemonadies Lemonade Stand and Three Taco Brothers, who kept everyone refreshed and well-fed with delicious food and drinks throughout the night.

The event was weeks in the making, with BSU students leading the charge on planning, decorations, and activities. Their effort and creativity paid off—turning a school parking lot into a joyful, welcoming space for families to celebrate Halloween safely and together.

BSU staffulty advisor Stacie Foreman shared,

“It meant a lot to me to bring the local community onto our campus to enjoy our Mid-Pen community. I hope seeing the smiles, laughs, and joy from our neighboring community showed our BSU students and others how a small act of kindness can go a long way.”

The night truly captured the heart and spirit of Mid-Pen—a community built on creativity, connection, and joy. Halloween has always been a special day on campus, and this year, the BSU helped extend that magic beyond our walls, welcoming our neighbors to join in the fun.