Halloween is in full swing at Quincy University, where students are celebrating the season with festive activities. From decorating pumpkins to planning costumes, students have opportunities to connect with others and enjoy the fall festivities.

Residents of Friars Hall kicked off the Halloween season with a pumpkin painting contest. The top three pumpkins earned $20 gift cards, giving students an extra incentive to participate. Mackenzie Emmons, a resident assistant in Friars Hall, said the event was designed to bring students together while giving them something fun to do.

“I think this was a fun way to get students involved and one way we get as many people here is by having an incentive like the gift cards so that people can have something to compete for while doing something fun,” Emmons said.

Students gathered in Friars Hall to show off their creativity and participate in the contest. Tables filled with pumpkins featured a variety of designs, from spooky Halloween paintings to cute and colorful decorations. The activity gave residents a chance to express themselves while spending time with other students.

Along with decorating pumpkins, students have been preparing their Halloween costumes. Karly Peters, a sophomore, said she has looked forward to Halloween since the previous year’s celebration ended.

“I am dressing up as a ninja turtle for Halloween, specifically Michelangelo, with three of my friends. We chose the ninja turtles so we could all dress up as something fun together. I watched them when I was younger and I thought they were always so cool, funny and adventurous,” Peters said.

Dressing up with friends allows students to share their interests and celebrate Halloween together. For Peters and her friends, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles provide a fun way to revisit a childhood favorite while creating new memories.

Quincy University also welcomed students from St. Francis Elementary School to campus for Halloween festivities. The elementary students had the opportunity to collect candy and show off their costumes while enjoying the holiday atmosphere.

The students also got to attend a fun night of Halloween bingo, where they won cute baskets full of candy and other small items when they got a Bingo.

Through campus activities, friendly competitions and community celebrations, Quincy University students are finding ways to enjoy Halloween while connecting with fellow students and younger members of the community.