The BYU Student Service Association hosted its Spookify the Y event, immersing students in both school spirit and the spirit of Halloween through booths across campus on Oct. 31.
With the various booths themed after Disney movies from “Cars” to “Cruella,” students could test their strength with Hercules, grab an icy soda with Elsa and dig for buried treasure with the Pirates of the Caribbean. Members from different areas of BYUSA such as Activities, Clubs and Connections helped run each booth.
“Spookify the Y is an opportunity to increase campus involvement and student involvement on campus and enrich their BYU experience,” Beryl Peña, the director of Clubs Relations, said. “Studies have shown that when students are more involved in campus life, then they do enjoy their time more in university.”
The Halloween event gave students the opportunity to learn about certain programs offered by BYUSA, as well as enjoy the Halloween activities.
“(The) first purpose, especially for today, is just to have a little bit of fun, encourage Halloween,” Cameron Jenkins, director of Cougar Skate and BYUSA activities, said. “And then, as well, just to get the word out about BYUSA, coming to volunteer and giving people opportunities to have leadership and learn about Christlike leadership.”
One of the areas on campus focused on BYUSA clubs, allowing each to set up booths to promote their clubs and celebrate Halloween.
“This is an opportunity for us to boost the other campus communities that are not as well represented,” Peña said. “We have a lot of cultural clubs, for example … and people with niche, weird hobbies that they think other people don't share — they're able to find that here."
Alayna Beck is an editing and publishing major minoring in business and is also a member of the presidency for the Irish Dance Club. She said that their club wanted to share their love of Irish dancing and Irish culture at the event.
“Halloween came from Ireland, so we have relevance to Halloween,” Beck said. “We just want to have fun.”
While Beck said she was not a big Halloween person, she did say she was a big supporter of the clubs and when the club officers heard about the event, they knew they had to be a part of it.
Finch Stanger, a BYU student studying technology and engineering studies, said she thought it was fun when BYU does things with the holidays to promote the clubs.
“I like that they're like advertising for clubs. Obviously, you can never get enough advertising for clubs, and it’s just nice that everyone can feel comfortable wearing costumes,” Stanger said.
The Spookify the Y event allowed many students to show off their costumes and celebrate Halloween with others.
Jeannine Jones, a BYU student studying exercise and wellness, said that one of the things she was excited to see was everyone's costumes.
“I love the themes. I love that this is an event, and that BYU is celebrating it,” Jones said.
Students from a variety of clubs and organizations were able to participate in events for Spookify the Y.
Even students who may not be involved in a certain community on campus were able to take part in the Halloween festivities, Peña explained.
“I feel like that's when you can really see campus spirit,” Peña said.