Author: Michael Demuro

Haunted Hallways Inches Closer On Campus

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By Imane Sabir ’26 and Violet Xu ’25

Spooky celebrations approach on campus as Halloween inches closer. During Halloween, students dress up in their favorite costumes from TV shows, movies, or video games. Some even take it a step further by dressing like their favorite teacher on campus. On the 31st, boarders can go trick or treating around faculty homes. Metz Culinary serves Halloween-themed dinner treats, and costume contests take place. Academic and residential buildings begin decorating as we get closer to the 31st. “Halloween is always a super fun time on campus, it allows kids to really express themselves and get into the Halloween spirit,” said Gabby Adeghe ‘25. 

On October 10th, 2024 pumpkin carving, which will take place in Fleck at 2 pm, giving students a chance to get creative and create something of their own. Later they can use the pumpkins to decorate, and give an autumn touch to their dorms. In addition, Sem has offered various fall-themed trips for both boarders and day students. This past weekend, a trip to Brace’s Orchard was hosted. This activity involves apple picking, farm stand goods, and much more. As well as, a trip to Creekside Gardens in Tunkhannock lets students go on a pumpkin walk, explore the farmers market, and try various fall-themed foods in the area.

As for boarders, Carpenter, Swetland, and Darte all compete in the popular, “Haunted Hallways” competition where students dress up in their scariest outfits and put on their best acts to spook the other dorms. In preparation, on October 23, 2024, a community night with different halloween treats will be hosted for dorms to gather and finalize their plans for the big day! In the past 2 years, Swetland has taken home the crown. Can Darte and Carpenter rise with a win this Halloween?

Student Life has already started planning by setting up various trips and events to prepare. A local shuttle on October 19, 2024, from 2-5 pm to Halloween, Party City, Walmart, etc. Students eagerly wait for haunted hallways to approach and mention, “It’s a time where all the girls get together, and laugh and have fun. It’s such a fun night for all of us,” said Destiny Lora ‘25. Haunted Hallways is something everyone at Sem can enjoy, uniting the community.

Stress Less at the Stress Less Fair

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By Ryan Kersey ’25

For the third year in a row, Wyoming Seminary’s Health and Wellness Center held its Stress Less Fair in the lobby of the Kirby Center for Creative Arts. Tuesday night, October 15, from 6 pm to 8 pm, faculty and students enjoyed everything from massages to giveaways.

This year there were a variety of booths, featuring returning organizations as well as new local resources and businesses. Wyoming Seminary’s very own Metz Cooking Staff servers delicious and healthy refreshments for everyone at the fair to enjoy. The Thaxton Holistic Wellness Center of Scranton provided massages and some local community members brought in their therapy dogs.

Head Therapist and Counselor at Wyoming Seminary and main organizer of the event Laura Kluck said, “We like to host the Stress Less Fair because this gives an opportunity for students to learn different coping skills, learn what agencies are in the area that can help with Mental Health, and it gives students the opportunity to make different tools to help them relax.” Kluck went on to talk about those tools that students could make such as essential oil rollers, stress balls, and journals. Head Nurse and fellow fair organizer, Emily McHugh, echoed Kluck’s words when she said the Stress Less Fair “allows students a space and time to prioritize their mental health.”

McHugh also highlighted the importance of the Stress Less fair when she said “I believe the fair is important as there are not many events for our community geared specifically towards mental health and wellbeing. It aims to be a casual and carefree event in the midst of an otherwise challenging and rigorous environment.”

No matter what kids participated in it is clear this was a stress-free, calm, and caring environment.

Wyoming Seminary Arts Department Hosts Family Weekend Showcase

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By Abby Lott ’25

On Saturday, October 5, the Arts Department showcased Wyoming Seminary’s vast performance opportunities. The showcase took place in the Kirby Center for Creative Arts and was open to all students, faculty, and family who wished to attend.

The Drama Department opened the showcase with a preview of their upcoming performance of Once Upon A Mattress. With the performance running from November 8 through 10, George Malloy ‘28 and Laura Olsen ‘27 had only been working on the show for a few weeks, but nonetheless performed a scene along with their duet “In a Little While.” 

Following the Drama Department’s wonderful performance, the Wyoming Seminary Dance Company performed their beloved number, “Uptown Girl” to the tune by Billy Joel. The number featured company members between the graduating classes of ‘25 and ‘29, including Reece Fisher ‘25 who describes her experience performing as “Joyful!” Further saying that the Arts Showcase is “always a pleasure to perform in. It is so lovely to showcase our hard work within the company to our family and friends before performance season begins.” Contrasting the upbeat number, Senior, and Arts Department representative, Abby Lott ‘25, performed a Lyrical solo, titled “Lullaby,” to the song by Billy Joel. This heart-warming number was created as a tribute to motherhood and the connection between mother and child.

Within the Music Department, the Jazz Ensemble performed a tune called “Now’s The Time” by jazz legend, Charlie Parker, consisting of improvisation opportunities for the musicians. Senior, and Arts Department representative, Tommy Majkowski ‘25 performed a solo in the piece, along with other ensemble members. In addition, the string ensemble performed a work titled “The Lovers’ Waltz,” originally written by Jay Unger and Molly Mason. The composition performed by the ensemble was arranged by Andrew Dabczynski to include strings and harp in the lush melody. Concluding the performance, the Wyoming Seminary Chorale presented two selections of praise and celebration. The first was an adaptation of Mozart’s festive “Alleluia, to Thee We Sing!” and the second was a French setting of the text “Chantez Alleluia!” by Dave and Jean Perry. 

When asked about the importance of the showcase, Jason Sherry, Fine, and Performing Arts Department Chair, said, “It’s always fun to put together because for some of our ensembles, it’s the first time they get a chance to perform in public. It’s also usually the only time that all of our programs get to perform together, which is so special!”

Emphasizing the excitement in the collaboration between ensembles and programs in the department, this weekend was truly a special experience for all who performed and attended. Lots of hard work goes into preparing performances, so it is always nice to see a preview of what the year is going to look like in the department as Wyoming Seminary community members.