YAN Plans ‘Halloween Highway’ Event for October 27
The seventh annual YAN Halloween Event is going on the road this year. Literally!
The annual event is being adapted this year due to COVID-19 protocols. Instead of the usual indoor activities inside the high school, YAN will host a “Halloween Highway” on Tuesday, October 27th from 5 pm to 6 pm in the TAHS parking lot.
In these uncertain times, it is important to be able to hold onto some sense of normalcy yet be as safe and possible. We have been doing this event for many years. It has become one that the community really looks forward to, and we didn’t want to give it up this year
— YAN Adviser Cummins McNitt
The event is free for any local PreK through fourth-grade children and their families. It will include several Halloween themed stops along a route around the middle and high school building with candy and a Halloween car decorating contest along the way.
“In these uncertain times, it is important to be able to hold onto some sense of normalcy yet be as safe and possible. We have been doing this event for many years. It has become one that the community really looks forward to, and we didn’t want to give it up this year,” YAN advisor and coordinator of the event, Cummins McNitt said.
The outdoor drive-through event will allow families to continue the tradition of spending Halloween time at the high school in a safe and healthy way without leaving their cars.
“When we presented our student YAN members with what they would like to do this year we suggested they could take a different approach. They all agreed they wanted to find a way to pull off the Halloween event again, albeit, things would have to look different,” said McNitt.
Guests will enter the TASD campus at the Hospital Road/Clay Avenue entrance, travel through the middle school parking area, around the middle and high school and exit back on to Clay Avenue between the high school and elementary school.
There will be three stops on the route with YAN and Golden Revolution being at the middle school main entrance, Eagle Eye, National Honor Society, and POPS being at the swimming pool area, and HOSA and Health Science being at the Votech area by Mr. Vancas’s room.
“We typically have about 125 students and 20 staff help out. This year we expect the numbers to be a little lower, but not by much,” McNitt said.
When we presented our student YAN members with what they would like to do this year we suggested they could take a different approach. They all agreed they wanted to find a way to pull off the Halloween event again, albeit, things would have to look different
— Cummins McNitt
TAHS students and staff will be in costume and handing out candy at the three stops. Families are encouraged to wear their costumes while remaining in their vehicles.
The Eagle Eye will also hold a Car Costume Contest at the event.
Eagle Eye staffers will take pictures of every car that is decorated for Halloween and post them on the Eagle Eye for the community to pick their favorite.
Winners of the community vote will receive a prize courtesy of the Eagle Eye and a local business.
There is no entrance fee to the event and everyone is invited to join in the fun and collect some candy.
McNitt, the advisor for YAN and the coordinator of the event, will be at the entrance to answer any questions and deal with traffic control.
“This event serves as a great bridge between the elementary and high school, as well as between the district and our community. Our older students love working with elementary-age children and their families. This is a highlight of the year for our student body, and quite honestly, for many of our staff as well,” McNitt said.
Participating Student Groups:
Youth Action Network (Advisors: Tracy Redinger & Cummins McNitt) Halloween Fruit Rollups, Halloween Tattoos & Assorted Candy
Golden Revolution (Advisor Mike Funicelli) Bag of Candy
POPS (Advisor Laura Harris) Variety of Treats
HOSA (Advisor Christie Taylor) Pretzels, Vampire Teeth, and Coloring Sheets
TAHS Science Department (Advisors: Beth Cannistraci & Danielle Shick) Directions for Home Experiments & Candy
Student Council (Advisors: Tiffany Smith & Michele Marasco) Pre-cut Crafts in a Bag w/ Directions & Tiny Pumpkins
National Honor Society (Advisor Amanda Burega) Small Candy Treat Bags
Eagle Eye (Advisors: Todd Cammarata & Eric Feather) Photos of Cars/Participants
FFA (Advisor Tiffany Hoy) Scarecrows & Pencils
Donors and additional support:
Karissa Budny, English Teacher
Carol Blaska, Secretary
Rachel Litzinger, Business Teacher
John Clark, Business Manager
Tracy & Fred Miller, School Nurse & District Justice
Jim Coleman, Head Custodian & Grounds
Teresa Myers, Health Teacher
Jeff Crofcheck, Grounds
Karen Raling, Guidance
Leslie Estep, Superintendent
Molly Rivera, Guidance/Social Worker
Mark Estright, Grounds
Shoe Fly (Candy/treat bags)
Jordan Good, Physical Plant Supervisor
Tom Yoder, Principal
Randy Gorecki, Maintenance
TASD School Board
Hailey Vanish is in her fourth and final year as a member of Tyrone Eagle Eye Newspaper. As she enters her senior year, she hopes to write more stories...
