WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Oct. 27, 2022 — Every October, West Liberty University welcomes its young neighbors from the nearby West Liberty Elementary School to campus for a Healthy Halloween Trick or Treat. This year the spooky event will take place today, Oct. 27.
The activity allows youngsters to parade from the elementary school through campus and trick or treat on the Quad as employees, faculty and student organizations distribute non-food treats and trinkets, to the costumed children.
“This is my second year being responsible for coordinating the annual trick or treat. It’s always a wonderful event that offers the students a chance to visit our campus, receive appropriate treats and participate in activities that promote STEAM and wellness. The children are encouraged to wear their costumes and many of the employees dress up as well,” said Lourdes “Lou” Karas, director of WLU’s Center for Arts and Education.
“Last year was the first year that we combined trick or treating with games and STEAM activities led by WLU students and it was a real plus,” Karas added.
Professor Kathleen Wack’s education students are responsible for more than 30 games and physical activities and Professor Missy Swartz’s students are responsible for the two Halloween-themed STEAM activities.
Wack is an associate Professor of Health and Physical Education in the College of Education and Human Performance and Swartz is an instructor of Physical Sciences in the College of Sciences.The children are expected to arrive on campus around 1:15 p.m. Once they’ve completed gathering their treats, they’ll be invited to join the activities organized by Swartz and Wack’s students until 2:30 p.m. when they head back to the elementary school.
One-hundred and twenty-two children, grades pre-K through five, attend the elementary school and West Liberty University is one of its official Partners in Education, as designated by Ohio County Schools administration. Drew Villani is its principal.
Located at 745 Van Meter Way, it is just a short distance from WLU’s main gate. For more information, contact WL Elementary at 304.336.7221.