“I think it just shows that we have a community that outgrows just the four years that you’re at A-West,” details Bryonna Mulvaney, Arvada West’s head librarian and sponsor/organizer of National Honor Society(NHS) and Arvada West’s Trick or Treat Street.
Every year, families throughout the Arvada area bring their children to Arvada West High School’s Trick or Treat Street. This event doesn’t just provide a safe environment for children to Trick or Treat, it also brings together the many clubs, sports, and activities to collect canned food and help those in need. This year the event saw over 1,700 people with more than 1,200 pounds of cans being donated to Community Table in the name of Trick or Treat Street.
Bobby Peterson, a Communication and Resource Development Manager at Community Table, emphasized the importance of donation events like these, sharing, “More than 533,000 people in Colorado do not have enough food, and shockingly, one in every ten of them is a child. This makes events like yours extremely valuable because they help ensure that those who are hungry get the food they need.” Peterson’s statement describes how events like Trick or Treat Street are important; not only to the families who come or the students who participate but also to those that may need things like the canned food Arvada West collects.
While providing food for the hungry, collecting cans also brings together those who participate for one goal: Collect as many cans as possible. “It provides food to people who are in real need, encourages community involvement, and fosters a sense of generosity. Additionally, it strengthens our community and raises awareness about the issue of hunger,” explains Peterson.
While the can collection from Trick or Treat Street is very important, it isn’t the main attraction that brings the community together. The draw of Trick or Treat Street lies in the safe and unique experience it provides for families, especially those with young children. Lizzy McDonald, a Junior and member of NHS highlighted this, sharing, “It gives the children of the community a really good opportunity to have the experience of trick or treating without the dangers of going outside, It gives them a safe place.”
As families entered the school, dozens of kids in colorful costumes flooded in with excitement on their faces. Upon walking further into the school, Poms and Cheer welcomed the kids and handed out candy. While it may not be like traditional trick-or-treating, it’s much safer for children and less stressful for parents compared to walking down dark streets on Halloween. “It’s a safe way for the kids to trick-or-treat and be inside and see cool decorations that stores don’t sell,” mentioned Senior and NHS member Josie Mortimer.
Every year Arvada West works to make Trick or Treat Street better; With many other schools also having a Trick or Treat Street there has to be something special about it to bring to community together. Mulvaney explains how Arvada West’s event is unique, stating, “We make it a little more than just a hallway that you walk through… kids come back year after year and they don’t see the same thing every time.” National Honor Society’s work seems to pay off with interesting themes and new decorations, bringing children back every year.
National Honor Society had been planning Trick or Treat Street since the 3rd week of school. They
set up the majority of Trick or Treat Street while clubs and extracurriculars individually set up either a game in the commons or claimed a themed section of the hallway. While connecting people in the community is the main goal, the event can also help the extracurriculars involved to have stronger ties between members of their group and others. “It was kind of the one event that everyone came together and collaborated to to put something together for the community and not just for our A-West students,” adds Mulvaney.
“It’s fun seeing students coming from all different personality types and different past histories, and kids that don’t typically see each other on a day to day basis come together for one purpose, like giving back to the community,” she continues. Mulvaney, an alumni of NHS herself, has been the sponsor of the club for three years.
Typically all the sports, clubs, and activities at A-West spend more time focused on their own goals and rarely have time to mingle and forge bonds with other groups, but events like Trick or Treat Street can help everyone collaborate towards one huge goal. Even those who don’t participate in any extracurriculars can help the community through A- West; Mulvaney gives advice on how to help with events like Trick or Treat Street, explaining, “You can get involved by just asking people how you can still join service projects. Seeking out those opportunities and not just waiting for them to come to you.”
Who knew that an event like Trick or Treat Street could link not only the families that come for candy but also the activities, clubs, and sports that make A-West one big family of its own.
