The Jones College campus was crawling with Halloween spirit as it kicked off the beginning of its Halloween celebrations with its annual Treats in the Streets community event. Held on October 28, the Jones campus was inundated with Jones College clubs and athletic teams’ booths all filled with Halloween décor, candy and entertaining interactions between students and Ellisville citizens.
Treats in the Streets is designed to be a safe place for local residents and their children to engage with the college and its facilities while ultimately providing a modern take on the traditional trick or treating of Halloween. Many students and faculty offer their time and services to ensure the best possible experience for everyone who attends.
Although the main focus of Treats in the Streets is trick or treating, there is a great moral lesson for those who volunteer. These sorts of community outreach projects put on by Jones allow students and faculty to get involved and truly be a part of events welcoming county citizens.
“Treats in the streets is good for our community and college as it gives parents and their children a safe place to come and trick or treat without having to travel,” said Jones College President Dr. Jesse Smith.
It also demonstrates to students that giving back is important, and putting on these events is a way of showing their appreciation for the close relationship Jones has with its community.
Furthermore, this event allows for particular clubs such as Phi Theta Kappa to achieve or work towards their community service hours. It also allows for students to be aware of all the support that the community shares with the college and how different the experiences that Jones students would have without these interactions.
“PTK is all about the community. We encourage service hours and service to the campus and the community,” said PTK Director Mark Brown. “Treats in the streets was initially an event hosted by PTK to bring people from out of town to the campus.”
Not only was Treats in the Streets filled with various engaging booths, there was also a costume contest held for everyone who wished to display their outfits. Held at 6:30 p.m. on the plaza there was a plethora of innovative costumes that walked across the stage with various categories and age groups.
Winners for the Jones student category were Nathan Bower in third place for his scarily similar Glenn Powell costume from Twister the movie. Earning second place was Parks Burt as a farmer with his animals characterised by Callee Knotts, Jennifer Diaz and Lawsyn Rogers as cows and chickens. First place was awarded to Chaz Welborn for his creative costume of a “Steam Punk Nobleman.” Da’Quasha Burnett received an Honorable Mention from the panel of judges for her “Baby Oil,” costume. While Burnett received candy for her creativity, Bower earned a pair of headphones. Burt and his counterparts were awarded with a karaoke microphone for their efforts, and Welborn was presented with a speaker.
“Events such as tonight are a great opportunity for all the students and the student groups to participate in service,” said Dr. Smith. “We try to lay the foundations that attendees need to be planning for college and what college has to offer. So, in 10 to 12 years parents remember about Jones College and can plan ahead.”
With joyous interactions shared between the Jones campus and the surrounding population, Treats in the Streets was an enjoyable occasion for all involved. The annual event will be held again next year with the aim once again for Jones County and its surrounding areas to come together in a safe place for Halloween festivities.
by Boo Mills
