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Thursday, October 31, 1996

HALLOWEEN:

Residence halls give inner-city students a chance for safe, fun trick-or-treating By Toni Dimayuga

Daily Bruin Contributor

They came in droves and swarmed all over the usually peaceful residence halls, their screams piercing the chilly night air. An alien invasion? No, Wednesday night marked that ghoulish time of year again with the eighth annual All-Hill Residence Hall-O-Ween .

Hall-o-ween, sponsored by the Office of Residential Life, was started by resident directors in Sproul Hall in 1988 to give inner-city children an opportunity to trick-or-treat in a safe environment, explained Cheryl Sims, associate director of programming services.

Sims said that the number of children participating each year grows exponentially. Last night's trick-or-treating attracted the largest turnout of students ever, with approximately 1,800 elementary and junior-high-aged children in attendance.

Several school buses brought the costume-clad children from Los Angeles area schools to the residence halls after dark. Student tour guides then led the kids, about 10 to a group, in and out of the residence halls.

"I think it's fun. It's very neat to go and play trick-or-treat and stuff. People are nice ­ they give you a lot of candy and stuff," Ebony McFarlane, a fourth-grader from Compton Avenue Elementary School, said as she held up her silver plastic candy bag in Delta Terrace.

But the children were not the only ones who appeared to enjoy themselves. Dorm residents, who participated by giving out candy and decorating study lounges and hallways, said that they were excited to have the children visit.

"I just feel good about giving these kids candy, knowing it's safe, knowing that they don't come from neighborhoods where they can have the chance to trick-or-treat at all," said Miles Ito, a second-year electrical engineering student as he handed out candy in Delta Terrace.

Some students believe that the program also benefits the younger students because it gives them an idea of what college life is like.

"I think it's important for the kids to see what it's like at a college. Not even the Halloween thing, but to see how fun it is and how nice we can be," said Diana Cilmi, a second-year psychology student and resident of Delta Terrace.

This seemed to ring true as one of the children expressed his desires to attend UCLA one day.

"It's really fun ... I'm going to go to this college," said Abdullah Anderson, an eighth-grader from Compton Avenue Elementary School.

Other dorm residents said that Hall-O-Ween is a chance to get to know children and make them happy.

"It by far is one of the most exciting and one of the most community-oriented programs here at UCLA because the focus isn't so much on the residents, but on kids who they can help," said Teresa Lee, a fourth-year biology student and resident assistant at Courtside. "It gives students the chance to interact with kids who maybe aren't as fortunate as they are."

Lee has participated in the program since her freshman year, when she first distributed candy. But, for the last three years she has painted the kids' faces.

"A lot of kids don't have the money to buy costumes and stuff ... it kind of makes them feel like they're getting dressed up," Lee said.

Some students acted as tour guides for the rambunctious children. The older children strived to be the first to receive candy at each doorway, as more timid trick-or-treaters waited their turn.

"So far it's been great. They've been a really good crowd. They're pretty much in order," said Robert Kaplisky, a first-year student and one of the house presidents of Delta Terrace.

Some of the children's parents who acted as chaperones, explained that they too appreciated the event.

"I think it's nice that they do these things for the kids," said Cassandra Williams, a parent chaperone.

SCOTT O/Daily Bruin

Elementary students from Coliseum Elementary School go trick-or-treating in Sproul Hall, one of several residence halls participating in the All-Hill Hall-O-Ween.