On Friday, October 27th, from 5-30PM – 7PM, anyone and everyone is invited to be included in Dakota’s haunted hallway for only $5. Project Kind, along with help from the National Honors Society (NHS), Key Club, and the National Arts Honors Society, have come together to create an expressive and inclusive space for not only Dakota High Schoolers, but also the surrounding middle school and elementary schools on campus.
The purpose for the haunted hallway is to bring families, friends, and communities closer together. During this hour and a half of fun, you can expect to be scared by in-costume actors, play fun and kid-friendly games like arts and crafts, cookie decorating, etc., and the best part, trick or treating! An array of different types of candies will be handed out, and you can jam out to music with friends and family.
Since September, Project Kind members have come together to plan this event to make it special for everyone involved. Each student got the opportunity to decide on their own, unique set up, create their own posters, and plan/create their own costumes to display the day of. Because the haunted hallway takes place on a school day, Friday, all decorations are set up and carefully placed the day of the event. Directly after the bell rings, at 2:06, the atrium and athletic center begin their transformations. Black paper along the walls are articulately placed to give off the “spooky effect,” along with a numerous amount of other cool accessories.
Everyone and anyone is welcome to join, with or without costume. Entry is only $5; however, parents and guardians can participate free of charge. When guests arrive, you must enter through the North Entrance, and the events will take place in the atrium (cafeteria) and athletic wing.
About Project Kind
Now that you know about the event, let’s dive into the group of people making all of this happen, Project Kind. Run by Dr. McPharlin and Mr. Renaud, Project Kind is a welcoming group accepting anyone and everybody willing to join. Project Kind’s purpose is to strive for inclusivity within the Dakota community. Dr. McPharlin has been involved and a part of the Haunted Hallway for 16 years. The club started with around 6 members, and now it has reached an audience of more than 300 students, not only involved in Project Kind, but also the Haunted Hallway as actors or running the kid-friendly stations.
Bernadette Shamoon, a member of Project Kind and involved in the haunted hallway, explained how “it’s a good way for people to come together as a community to have fun events and make friends.” She decided to participate in the kid-friendly zone this year, orchestrating Bingo for a fun time and a young audience. Project Kind has also opened more opportunities for Bernadette to experience. She added how “you make relationships with teachers and see the behind the scenes of events.” As a result, Bernadette not only gets the privilege of being a part of a bigger, greater cause, but also gets insight and forms a level of understanding and appreciation for school events. Noticing the hard work and effort incorporated into the set up of events can help instill a sense of awe and respect towards the person, group, or community putting it all together.
From one of the haunted hallway actors, Mary Varga expressed how she loves attending Project Kind meetings because it offers her an enjoyable environment to involve herself in after school. She added how “it’s fun to feel involved in something.” As a participant in the hallway event, Mary has decided to dress as a zombie, and scare others to stir excitement and thrill.
Overall, Project Kind was created to benefit not only the Dakota Community, but the club members involved as well. If you’re interested in making cool new friends, forming relationships with teachers, and participating in helping to boost school morale, Project Kind’s doors are open every Monday in room 132 directly after school.
Dr. McPharlin • Nov 20, 2023 at 1:40 pm
This was so lovely to read. Thank you for taking the time to highlight this incredibly talented and dedicated group of people. As a co-chair of Project Kind, I am always blown away by the level of commitment each student has to make this event a success for the community. DeMya Noble, you did a wonderful job setting up these interview times and capturing the essence of what Project Kind does here. Everyone at Project Kind appreciates you!